Kick back and put up your feet...

Rest.

By definition, rest is, "to cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength."

An athlete rests after a strenuous workout. A worker rests after a hard day at his or her job. A mother or father rests after a busy day tending the children.



The word, "rest," brings pleasant, peaceful and serene thoughts to mind. Unfortunately, in today's hurry-up, dog-eat-dog, competitive world, rest is often elusive.

Our heavenly Father did not create us to be idle beings, but he also knew that we required, yes, needed rest. So important is rest to our bodies, minds and souls, that he set for us an example at the beginning of the second chapter of the Bible. After God spent six days creating the world in all its splendor, he rested. Genesis 2:1-4, here from The Message, tells us:

Heaven and Earth were finished, down to the last detail. By the seventh day, God had finished his work. On the seventh day he rested from all his work. God blessed the seventh day. He made it a Holy Day. Because on that day he rested from his work, all the creating God had done.

Day Seven God set apart as a Holy Day. A day to rest, yes. But more importantly, a day to honor God. A day to give God our full attention. A day to set aside our normal work and routine, and spend time with our Creator. A day to relish in his love and faithfulness. A day to give him our best. A day to give him our love.

If you don't think a day of rest is important, think again. God thought it so important that he made it one of his Ten Commandments. Number four, in fact. We find its place in the list along with, "No murder," and, "No adultery."

Sabbath. Sunday. A day of rest. However you define it, God commands it.

May the peace of Christ find you at rest on your Holy Day.