Rhythms of Rest
I was on a Zoom call last week, and the person I was chatting with said, "Why do I have so many tabs open?" to which my automatic response was, "Because it's Friday."
It got me thinking about all of the tabs I have open. Many on my computer, but even more in my mind. There's always a list of items to check back in with, to wrap up, or that are ongoing. Sure, I have checklists and reminders for the important things, but there is always this running list in my brain with things I want to get to eventually.
It made me ask myself, "How am I putting these tabs on mute each week for my Sabbath?"
Upon reflection, I realized that over the past 5 years my Sabbath rhythms have become more solidified, which has made it possible to mute open tabs with regularity. I just hadn't thought about it in those terms.
One change I have made is that, before my Sabbath, I ensure that all the chores I need to do to be ready for Monday are done, which mutes this tab so I don't have to think about these details for 24 hours. This tab never closes because, come Monday, I'll resume dishes, laundry, and whatever else, but for those 24 hours, these tasks don't get my attention.
For decades I didn't know how to put things on hold. I didn't know how to stop for 24 hours and rest. I assumed things would fall apart if I didn't keep working.
In Tara Owen's book "Embracing the Body" she writes, "Instead of pressing deeper into physical rest and letting the Spirit do the work of restoring our souls, we often dive instead into more work, tiring ourselves further, or succumb to the messages of guilt and shame that we receive, taking on an identity as lazy, worthless or unproductive, rather than leaning into the grace and the gift of God."
Our lives are so full that giving up any amount of time can sometimes feel like a burden instead of a grace.
Rather than work and rest being in partnership, work takes over. Our margins fill up, and we burn out.
The thing is, our work matters. It does! God has equipped us with various skills and invited us to partner with him in our work. And! Our work does not change our worth. We are sons and daughters of the Most High King. We are loved. We belong. We are part of God's family. All of the good work that we do does not increase our worth one bit.
On the Digital Examen Podcast, back in January 2024 Dr. Carmen Imes said, "A healthy vision of work is one that recognizes the glory that it is that we get to collaborate with God and with one another to do good work, and yet the freedom of knowing that my life, my livelihood doesn't even depend on that, that God provides what I need and God provides a sense of identity and purpose outside of what I can accomplish."
I wonder if we believe that is true?
When we believe that work and rest are partners, not enemies, it changes everything. In our good work, we are partnering with God to bring new creation and flourishing to those around us. In our rest, we remember that God is on the throne, ruling and reigning, and that our identity is as his beloved children. We can trust God with our work and with our rest - both have been woven into our story since the beginning.
As you consider closing or muting your open tabs, here are some questions to ponder-
What are my current rhythms of rest?
What do my margins look like?
Do I believe that my worth is tied to my work?
What might the Holy Spirit be inviting me to pay attention to regarding my rhythms of work and rest?
~ Melissa