Work From Rest
(By Heather Marshall)
Do you struggle to find a balance between work and rest?
I can relate to this challenge. Once I start a project, I often feel the urge to keep working until it’s finished, even if it means pushing my body to its limits, resulting in aching muscles and a sore back. I should know better, but I find myself continually pushing through. There has to be a better way.
Lately, I’ve been considering that perhaps it's not just about finding a balance between work and rest, but rather about working from a position of rest. When we prioritize rest, we can work in a wiser and more God-honoring way.
Take the beautiful example of Ruth the Moabitess. She faced deep and challenging circumstances. Ruth married an Israelite man who had moved to Moab with his family during a famine in Israel.
Tragically, her father-in-law passed away, and about 10 years later, both her husband and brother-in-law also died. This left Ruth, her mother-in-law, and her sister-in-law as three widows struggling to support themselves in a culture and time that was not welcoming to women.
Eventually, Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, decided it was time to return to Israel. She urged her daughters-in-law to go back to their parents’ homes, saying, “May the LORD grant each of you rest in the house of a new husband” (Ruth 1:9).
However, Ruth refused to leave Naomi’s side. She responded, “Don’t plead with me to abandon you or to return and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God” (Ruth 1:16).
Through Naomi's testimony, Ruth found rest — not in the comfort of a new husband, as Naomi suggested, but in a personal relationship with God.
She declared, “Your God will be my God.” This rest and trust in God empowered her to do difficult things, such as leaving her family and country to move to Israel with Naomi, heading to a land where she would be seen as both a foreigner and a widow.
Ruth embodied the truth of Isaiah 40:31: “But those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary; they will walk and not faint.”
The evidence of Ruth working from a position of rest and trust in God is clear in the way things unfold once she returns to Israel with Naomi. Recognizing her responsibility to provide for their physical needs, Ruth says to Naomi, “Will you let me go into the fields and gather fallen grain behind someone with whom I find favor?” (Ruth 2:2). So, she goes and begins to gather grain in the fields of Boaz.
Boaz notices her character and hard work. He is impressed and promises her protection and the opportunity to gather grain in his fields for the entire harvest. Boaz’s words to her highlight the rest and trust that Ruth had in God, which allowed her to work hard and trust in His provision: “May the LORD reward you for what you have done, and may you receive a full reward from the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge” (Ruth 2:12).
Ruth did receive a reward from the LORD. She ultimately became Boaz’s wife and became part of the lineage of King David and, eventually, the Lord Jesus.
When it comes to incorporating rest into our busy lives, there are several practical strategies we can adopt. First, establish a dedicated time each day for pause and reflection, whether it's through meditation, prayer, or simply enjoying a quiet moment with a cup of tea.
Setting boundaries around work hours can also create space for rest. For example, designate specific times to check emails or take calls, and resist the temptation to work outside those hours.
Prioritize activities that rejuvenate you, such as going for a walk in nature, reading a book, or engaging in a hobby that brings you joy. By intentionally incorporating these strategies, we can cultivate a rhythm of rest that enhances our well-being and productivity.
When we rest in the Lord, we too will be blessed because we choose to depend on Him for all things.
So, friends, let’s remember the example of Ruth the next time we find ourselves striving and working hard without resting. Instead of laboring tirelessly on our own, let’s commit our ways to the Lord, trust Him to guide us, and leave our work in His capable hands so that we may truly work from a position of rest.
Comments