25. Rest

“Humanity was not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath for humanity.”-Jesus

Perpetual fatigue destroys.  Should the stress of our everyday lives not kill us, the turmoil and chaos left in the wake of overwork and constant pressure leaves nothing but an empty quivering shell of resentment and pain.  This is not to say that there are not seasons which we must work past our limit—after childbirth, to support our families in poverty, to save the lives of those near death, for example.  But we must follow those seasons with deep, unqualified rest.

It is a misconception that some advertise that the Spirit is in opposition to the body.  The Spirit made the body, and loves the well-working flesh.  The Spirit created the body to be in balance, and that balance is peace, which the Spirit covets.  Part of that balance is labor, and part of that balance is rest.  The Spirit demands for us to rest, as much as he demands us to labor, for in that balance is health.

Health is not the most important aspect to peace on the earth—that would be love.  But the body that is unbalanced cannot love, for deep stress creates a body that is desperately trying to preserve itself, even at the cost of others. Generosity comes from well-being.

There have been times when the Spirit so desired for me to rest that I was led to a quiet room, in a comfortable chair, my eyes were drawn closed and, in the presence of the Spirit, I slept.  A deep sleep, that when I awoke I knew that the Spirit had never left me.  He was not offended by my rest, but created it for my sake.

There are times when we go to the Spirit and he asks us to just rest.  May we listen to that call.