Rule of Life: Rest

Part 6 | Return to Developing a Rule of Life

Rest is essential to our spiritual formation. It’s very hard to tempt well-rested, healthy, happy people. Even more, when we’re well rested, love comes easily out of our inner being. From page two of the Bible (the Sabbath story) onward, rest is an essential component to living well in God’s world.

Daily examples

Morning quiet time | Start your day off with quiet time alone with God. If this habit isn’t already formed in you, begin with simply 10 minutes and work up from there. 

Sleeping 8 hours most nights | While this falls into the “body” category, it also falls under the “rest” category. Rest can come in many forms, but one that plays a large part in how we walk throughout our day is how much sleep we get. It affects more than we realize.

Weekly examples

Weekly Sabbath | In a culture where busyness is a status symbol, sabbath teaches us that God sustains the world and that we don’t. To make a countercultural embrace of our limitations, we stop our usual work for one day of rest. Sabbath is a gospel practice because it reminds us that the world doesn’t hang on what we can accomplish, but rather on what God has accomplished for us. Take one 24 hour period to not do any work and to be intentional about spending time with God, in worship, with community, and doing things that are joyful and restful for you. If 24 hours feels like too much, just start with a 12 hour period and work up from there. 

“Nothing” night | Carve out one night a week where you have nothing planned at all. Treat it like a commitment so you don’t fall into the trap of filling up every moment with something. Do something restful for yourself that night.

Recommended baseline practice | Commit to a daily quiet time and a weekly sabbath.
If you’re new to this practice, we recommend you start with a few hours on your day off to just relax and connect with God.

Reflection Questions

• What practices and rhythms of rest are built into your life? (official or unofficial)

• What are things you do that aren’t necessarily “productive” but you find joy and rest in doing them?

• What are some things you do where you experience the presence of God most?

• What practices would you like to add in, cut out, or change?

Fill out the chart below with your small, actionable goals for this upcoming month.

Additional Resources

Rest for your Soul | Sabbath E1 podcast by John Mark Comer

Part 6 | Return to Developing a Rule of Life