Written by Rev. Craig Moock, pastor, Rural Chapel United Methodist Church in Galena, OH

As we look at practicing our faith today, I want to encourage us all to practice rest.  You read that right, I am asking us to practice rest. 

From the very beginning, rest is one of the things that God has told us to do… and not only that, He modeled it for us even when He did not have to.  God created in six days and on the seventh, God rested.  God infused all of creation with the need to stop on a regular basis and disconnect from work in order to restore our minds, our hearts, our souls and our bodies.

The need for rest is real for our land in regard to farming, it is real for many trees every winter when they shed their leaves for the season and rest is a very real need for us. 

In the time of this present crisis, rest can be hard to come by for various reasons, but it is essential.  While we need to rest, many of us do not feel like we have the time or capacity.  So… here is something that you can practically do in ten or so minutes to rest.  I believe that you will feel rested when you do this.

1.       Light a candle – Remind yourself that the world can live without you for 10 minutes. While the candle is lit, there is nothing that is required of you.  God’s got it!!!

2.       Intentionally, set aside all of your responsibilities for the moment – They will come back to your mind.  That is ok.  Give them to God.  God’s got it!!!

3.       Check in with yourself – How do you feel?  How does your body feel?  Let the emotions flow and ask God for what you need.  God’s got it!!!

4.       Ask God for rest – In the book of Hebrews, the author speaks about God’s rest as a place that we can go.  Ask God to take you there and give you His rest.  God’s got it!!

5.       Thank God – Thank God for the gifts he gave you while you were at rest.  Blow out the candle and trust that He is at work in all of your work when you return to it.  God’s got it!!

..for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.

Hebrews 4:10