Doing Rest

Finding True Rest in a World That Never Stops

Have you ever felt judged for saying you're too busy to rest? Or maybe you're the person who equates rest with laziness, constantly pushing through because there's always more to do?

This week at Crowd Church, Dave Connolly and Dan Orange shared something that might just change how you think about rest. Rather than seeing it as time wasted or a luxury you can't afford, what if rest is actually a command from God? And what if the reason we struggle with it has less to do with our schedules and more to do with our hearts?

The Real Issue: Stopping vs Slowing Down

Culture tells us to optimise everything, including rest. Take power naps, meditation apps, productivity hacks - it's all about getting better at being busy. But Dave shared something profound that cuts through all the noise:

"To truly rest, we have to stop. You know, it's like when the scripture says be still, it doesn't mean slow down, it means stop."

This isn't about doing less - it's about stopping completely. And that feels terrifying because it means admitting we're not in control.

You're Already Held

This biblical perspective completely changes the game. Rest isn't something we earn after we've done enough work. It's one of the Ten Commandments - right up there with not murdering or stealing. God commanded rest because He knows we need it.

When God rested on the seventh day, it wasn't because He was knackered, He didn’t need to rest. It was because His work was finished. He stopped to reflect on what He'd accomplished, to be present in the moment. He chose to rest, and set that example for us.

Dan put it brilliantly: "If God has commanded us to rest, he's going to help us."

Think about it - when God gives a command, He also provides the grace to follow it. That includes rest.

Rest as an Act of Faith

So what does this look like practically? Dave and Dan shared some insights that transformed how we think about rest:

Trust over productivity - Rest requires faith. It's believing that the world won't fall apart if we stop. It's trusting that God is big enough to handle what we can't.

Boundaries with technology - Our phones are rest killers. Notifications, emails, social media - they've trained us to never truly stop. Creating tech-free zones isn't just helpful, it's necessary for biblical rest.

Solitude as a gift - Being alone with God isn't punishment, it's privilege. As Dave said, "Solitude is a gift that allows us to connect with God on a deeper level. It's about being present with God."

Even during harvest season - The Bible says to rest even during harvest time. Even when life feels overwhelming, we're still called to stop. This isn't poor planning - it's faith in action.

When Rest Feels Impossible

During our conversation, several people shared their struggles with rest. One person mentioned feeling guilty for taking breaks. Another talked about their mind racing even when they try to be still.

Here's what we discovered: rest isn't about having an empty mind or feeling perfectly peaceful. It's about surrendering our thoughts to the Holy Spirit and trusting God with our concerns.

Dave shared: "Every command requires a response, and the response that we give comes from choice." We choose to rest, even when it feels unproductive. We choose to trust, even when our minds are busy.

Finding What Fills Your Tank

One of the most practical parts of our conversation was about knowing what actually restores you. For some, it's time in nature. For others, it's moments of complete stillness. The key is being honest about what fills your tank versus what drains it.

Busyness won't fill your tank - it will only drain it. Social media scrolling isn't rest - it's mental junk food. True rest requires intention and boundaries.

Dan shared how important it is to align our rest with scripture: "When we align our lives with His teachings, we experience the blessings that come from obedience."

Your Next Step This Week

Here are practical ways to embrace biblical rest:

1. Start with 15 minutes - Choose one day this week to stop completely for 15 minutes. No phone, no tasks, just stillness with God.

2. Create tech boundaries - Try putting your phone in another room for one hour each day. Notice what comes up when you can't check it.

3. Practice the Sabbath principle - Even if you can't take a full day, can you take a few hours to stop and reflect on what God is doing?

4. Identify your tank-fillers - Write down three things that actually restore you (not just distract you). Schedule time for at least one this week.

5. Pray about rest - Ask God to help you see rest as He does - not as laziness, but as trust.

It's All Grace

Dave shared something beautiful about rest during difficult seasons: "Finding rest in the midst of life's chaos isn't about having perfect circumstances. It's about finding peace in God's presence."

Rest isn't about having a perfect life with no stress. It's about stopping long enough to remember that God is good, that He's in control, and that our worth isn't tied to our productivity.

The same God who spoke the universe into existence and then rested is inviting you to rest too. Not because you've earned it, but because you're loved.

A Question Worth Asking

What would change if you genuinely believed that rest isn't lazy - it's biblical? That stopping isn't irresponsible - it's faith?

Rest could stop being the thing you'll do when life calms down (spoiler: it won't). It could become what it was always meant to be - a regular reminder that you're held by a God who never sleeps, so you can.

Because here's the truth Dave and Dan left us with: God commands rest not to restrict us, but to restore us. Not because He needs us to slow down, but because He wants us to stop long enough to remember how much we're loved.