Planning Purposeful Rest

It’s going to be quiet here for awhile.

Imagine dimmed lights, eyes closed, feet up. Imagine long afternoons in a rocking chair on the back porch, sipping lemonade, watching kids splash in a sprinkler. Imagine margin enough to make those phone calls to dear long-distance friends, the ones you wish you spoke to more but rarely have the time. Imagine trying a few new recipes because dinner-making isn’t a rushed task but a slow creative outlet.

Imagine unplugging. Completely.

Imagine a slow walk, hand-in-hand, with the one you love.  Imagine re-reading that story, the one you love, that always fills your heart with fresh faith, fresh hope. Imagine carving out time each day to soak in the Scriptures, reading without rush, letting words sink in, marinating in His truth.

Friends, we need rest.

Tomorrow begins my 2nd annual August-rest. Sure, it probably won’t look like what I just described, but I won’t be blogging or speaking for the month of August, just pulling back a bit to breath, focus, and reorient my soul on the One.  There’s been a bit of commotion on the ol’ home-front recently, so I’m focusing all my energy here–on my nearest sphere. Lord willing, I’ll be back on Monday, Aug 31st, sharing bits and pieces surface during this Sabbath.

As I’ve prepared for this time, I’ve been pondering what it means to purposefully rest. How do we intentionally Sabbath? How do we rest in such a way that we thrive, flourish, and grow spiritually? It’s not just that we don’t do stuff.  As Jeff said, “I know plenty of people who don’t do anything and it’s not because they’re godly!” 🙂

So not doing stuff isn’t enough. Some advocate that Sabbath means doing whatever brings you pleasure, whatever you enjoy, whatever makes you feel alive. And there’s some truth to that because Sabbathing will be enjoyable, but we have to be careful with that too, as God has harsh words to say for this. In many ways, Sabbath is similar to fasting. Isaiah 58 puts these together in an interesting way. God first rebukes His people saying,

“In the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure…”

Then He promises them richest blessings, using same wording with regards to Sabbath:

“If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly…”

Sabbath rest isn’t selfishness, it’s soul-care, it’s reorienting our souls to fix our gaze back on God because He’s the only place we’ll find wholeness, health, godliness, joy.

So how?

Tim Keller has an excellent article entitled, Wisdom and Sabbath Rest. I recommend it. A few brief thoughts I’ve been pondering, as I prepare for my own August-rest.

• Evaluate “pleasures.” 

  We must honestly evaluate “pleasures” that leaves us emptier or distracted. I hate to say it, but sugar can be an empty promise of pleasure that leaves us emptier. I know others may find TV, shopping, social media, novels, or other outlets promise fulfillment, but leave us emptier in the end. While none of those things are wrong, we are wise to beware that our “rest” isn’t just indulgence. Seasons of indulgence will only leave us lethargic.  Though it seems odd, perhaps a way to rest is to fast from something, be it sweets or shopping or social media. The first three days are always hard, but resurrected energy always comes as our flesh burns away a bit and our spirits come through stronger.

• Determine your people-capacity. 

  Whether we are introverts or extroverts will greatly influence how our rest periods take shape. I’m an introvert, so I’m being mindful to keep our calendar quieter than usual, especially since I’m always home WITH children all day and we have a full house. On the other hand, I’ll enjoy a few special times with close friends who always fill me up and make me more like Christ (the primary one being my husband!). If you’re an extrovert, this will look different. Trying to do too much solitude will just discourage and frustrate you, instead of fill. Know how you’re wired.

• Establish structure.

  When I have a day of prayer and fasting, the sure-fire way to be frustrated is to just mark the whole day, “Prayer & Fasting.” I just end up hungry, tired, and irritable all day. Although I still struggle with fasting, I find things go MUCH better when I structure my day, carving out specific, intentional time for Scripture reading and prayer. With larger time, like a month, look at a calendar and mark out certain days or blocks of days for certain focuses or recreation activities. Include a relaxing night-time ritual that helps you turn in earlier and establish good sleep.

• Let the ground lie fallow.

  In the 7th (Sabbath) year the Israelites were to let the “ground rest and lie fallow.” During this time they were to let the poor freely enjoy whatever was left. In other words, quit being productive, and be generous. This isn’t a season for “getting ahead.” This doesn’t mean we sit still all day, every day, but we enjoy what Tim Keller calls “avocational” activities — things that are not directly related to your vocation. This is why I take a break from blogging and speaking during this time, but I still enjoy activities like gardening, creative house projects, and, of course, reading. (Remember these great stories!)

You may not be able to take a month of work or even get away, but perhaps consider how to implement some Sabbath rest into your summer, for the sake of your soul. Thank you for your grace, allowing me the freedom to let this blog-land rest and lie fallow for a bit.

I trust that the result will be greater fruitfulness, for us all. 

{Until Aug. 31st, thanks for reading.}

*PS I will occasionally pop in and share thoughts or links on the FB page. Feel free to join the conversation there. Thanks so much!