When is the last time you truly rested?

I don't mean on the couch watching Netflix while scrolling through Instagram. Or even sitting with a good friend and chatting. I mean, retreating, away from the world and just... rested from the noise of your life.

I can't remember the last time I let myself breathe. And honestly these days it's hard to without feeling guilty. When I try to take 10 or 20 minutes here and there I find myself filling those minutes up with "just one more email", or "quickly finishing up some work."

Or I find myself scrolling through my endless to-do list instead of letting my mind escape.

I find I'm too scared to pull of out the rat race. I'm scared by taking some space to breathe, someone else will get ahead.

"'So the children of God shall observe the sabbath, to celebrate the sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and my children forever; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed." - Exodus 31:16-17

God commanded the Israelites to rest as a sign of his covenant with them. A day set a part for those who have been set a part.

It goes against my natural instinct. But this week I'm determined to pick one day to practice. To set aside time to rest, and be set aside. To set aside my mind, my worries, the spinning wheels and rest in Him.

God could have chosen anything, but instead he chose rest to demonstrate to the world who belong to him.

Because in Jesus there IS rest! We can lay down our weary souls at his feet and trust him to provide. We're freed from the rat race. We're freed from our need to toil. He toils for us.

I haven't felt rested in awhile, but I'm ready to try.