Are you seeking new rest this new year? It’s one of my New Year’s resolutions to be more intentional in getting rest. But I’m not only logging more sleep hours. I’m seeking a new kind of rest. And this is how I discovered I need it.
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Our Focus Verse:
It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.
Psalm 127:2 NLT
A Break from Creativity
I recently returned from a four-day trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama over Christmas break. When I was a teen, I vacationed there for several summers. What a glorious treat for this landlocked Missourian! But I haven’t been there since 1999, and our three children had never seen the ocean before. We were eager for this taste of warmer weather in the middle of winter.
Gulf Shores more than delivered on its promise of rest. The peaceful pounding of waves, sugary-soft sand, abundant shells in all colors, delicious seafood, Southern hospitality, gorgeous sunrises and sunsets…all of these offered delight.
I was also blessed to meet two sisters in Christ I’ve only known online up to this point. And our beachfront condo was blissfully quiet in the off-season. Though I’m a light sleeper, I slept amazingly well.
It was wonderful to take a break from my work. Though I love being a writer for a living, it drains my brain and body. I needed a break from the creativity I love so much. Simply watching the ocean was a beautiful break I desperately needed.
Simply watching the ocean was a beautiful break I desperately needed. #takeabreak #rest #replenish Click To Tweet
A New Kind of Rest
On my vacation, I read the book Sacred Rest– it’s currently at a very low price for Kindle readers, and I encourage you to check out the link HERE. This book is a fabulous read for anyone who feels constantly tired, stressed out and frazzled. That has been me for several weeks, especially as I worked ahead so I could take off.
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith writes beautifully about our need for different kinds of rest – you can take her free rest quiz HERE. I discovered I was deficient in several areas, including creative rest.
Dr. Dalton-Smith explains that when we pour out of certain areas, we need to pour back in with the same thing to replenish our souls. Since I’m a creator by trade, I need to pour back in with creative activity to feel most at rest.
Years ago, I worked hard to establish a rhythm of rest on Sundays for our family. We fixed a good breakfast, attended church, napped, played or walked outside, and enjoyed a nice grilled dinner along with a homemade dessert. We still observe this break on the weekends, and all of us look forward to it. But why was I still feeling so tired, even when observing the Sabbath? It’s because I wasn’t refueling in an area which ranked high on my rest quiz – creativity.
Why was I still feeling so tired, even when observing the Sabbath? It’s because I wasn’t refueling in an area ranked high on my rest quiz. #rest #sabbath #christianliving Click To Tweet
Replenishing with Creativity
I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design and illustration. Almost every day in my work, I use the graphic design part of my degree. But what I loved most as an art student was the hands-on work, the fine arts of drawing, painting, weaving and sculpting. It’s pure joy to me to create with my hands, and I don’t do it often enough.
For several days after reading Sacred Rest, I mulled on Dr. Dalton-Smith’s words. I decided to improve in just one area of my deficits (because I will fail if I tackle all of them at once). I invited my daughter to join me in what I deemed Art Sunday. She got out all the supplies for watercolor painting, and we sat down for about an hour to paint for our enjoyment.
Though I was physically tired when I started, I felt completely rejuvenated at the end of the hour. Painting connected me with that pure joy I feel when time seems to slow and I immerse myself in the beauty of God’s creation. Yes, I plan to use future creations to restock my Etsy shop. But this past Sunday, it wasn’t about creating anything for sale. It was just about getting back to what brings me joy, and experiencing the blessings of God’s rest in a new way.
It’s pure joy to me to create with my hands, and I don’t do it often enough. #creativity #joy #restful Click To Tweet
God Gives You Rest
Even if you aren’t creative like I am, you probably have a rest deficit in another area. Many of us are bogged down with responsibilities to our families, jobs, churches and other obligations. We are pushed to our limits and wearing ourselves out, and it’s costing us our peace.
God promises to give you the rest you need. Did it cost me precious time to paint last Sunday, call my best friend yesterday and take a walk with my dog? Yes. Could I have used that time to get things done on my never-ending list of to-do’s, or simply shut down with sleep? Sure. But were those activities worth it because they replenished me in my heart, body and soul? Absolutely.
I encourage you to examine the areas where you feel anxious, overworked or close to burnout. Meditate on our focus verse and make it into a prayer. Invite God to show you how to rest. Not only in getting extra sleep, which we could all use. But in replenishing with creative rest in those areas, to fill back up and be much better for his kingdom use afterward. That’s my weekly resolution for 2021, and maybe it is yours as well.
God promises to give you the rest you need. Invite him to show you how to rest. #rest #peace #selfcare Click To Tweet
Question for you: How has today’s devotion inspired you to choose rest? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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A New Kind of Rest
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