Tired of being tired- The Soul Rest We Crave

In recent weeks and months, I’ve noticed an alarming pattern of restlessness in myself. I’ve lost a sense of stillness that I remember being able to enjoy. I envy the people I see in movies who sit cross-legged with eyes closed and faces serene as they meditate in seemingly peaceful silence. I long for just 5 minutes of stillness, both in body and mind. Why is that and how do I get it?

Why do we long for rest?

1.      We were made for rest.

I’m sure I’m not alone in my desire for rest, quiet and stillness. Even the most extraverted amongst us reaches a state of exertion where they long for sleep. I think our desire for rest is in fact a need. It is hard-wired into us because we were made for it.

In Genesis 1:26, we are told that God created man and woman to rule over the creation that He had made. They were blessed by God and were instructed to be fruitful and multiply through productive and fulfilling work. Humanity was blessed with restful living in intimate communion with their God who dwelt among them (Gen 3:8).

We long for rest because we were designed for it. Although it's hard for us to imagine, our bodies and souls are meant to experience rest and peace. This was God’s good intention for us as His creatures.

2.      We lack rest now.

If we were made for rest, why don’t we enjoy it now?

Genesis also tells us what went wrong. Sadly, humanity quickly moved from restfulness to restlessness.

Productive, restful labour became painful toil (Gen 3:16a, 17, 19). Confident vulnerability (2:25) became domineering control (3:16b) and fearful anxiety (3:8). Beautiful intimacy with God became separation and death (3:19, 23-24).

Ever since our creation we crave rest, but we struggle to find it, achieve it and enjoy it. That’s because of sin–our rebellion of God’s good rule from the beginning. Our efforts to grab at rest now may help to some extent–the weekend away may bring relief, the swim or the run may bring refreshment, the meal with friends may be relaxing, but it doesn’t last. Sometimes you may even hear us complaining, “I need a holiday from the holiday!” Perpetual restlessness is part of the curse that humanity now experiences because of sin. The rest that we once enjoyed in tranquil communion with our Lord was disturbed, but, thankfully, God had a plan to restore us to Himself in perfect peace.

3.      We hope for rest to come

When Jesus graciously entered the chaos of this world, he spoke these words: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28)

Jesus knew exactly what our problem was and he set His heart to providing a solution for us. Through His cross and resurrection, He offers reunion with the God of Peace for those of us who trust in His saving work. Rest is redeemed and eternal rest is promised for those who die to their sinful self and rise again to hide in the resurrected Saviour (Col 3:3).

His very presence is peace, His very words are life. In Him, and Him alone, do we find the stillness our hearts yearn for. We long for the rest to come in the New Creation when all will be made right again. The land we work will no longer fight us and we will no longer fight each other. Sin and death, shame and anxiety, fear and guilt will be removed forever. Christ Jesus will finally usher in His Kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy (Rom 14:17). The groanings of all creation will be transformed into joyous sighs of relief and jubilant songs of celebration!

How do we find rest now?

In the meantime, while we wait for this glorious rest that is to come, how do we experience rest now? I’ve been taking some tips from King David…

David sings in Psalm 131,

“...I have calmed and quieted my soul

like a weaned child with its mother;

my soul is like a weaned child.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord,

both now and forever.” (vv.2&3)

In the chaos of a restless world, David makes a choice, a decision, to calm himself. I think these words communicate the fact that rest does not come naturally or easily on this side of heaven. Calm and quiet is something to actively pursue and choose in your day-to-day. Therefore, we too should learn from David and choose rest, pursue rest in our daily living.

Secondly, David understands that rest is more than physical. He quiets his soul. He’s aware of the internal battle that each of us faces. James refers to it as the “passions that wage war within [us]” (4:1). Paul describes the “body of death” in which the law of God and the law of sin wage war within him (Rom 7:21-25). The rest we need is not simply a satisfactory sleep-cycle, or anxiety-expelling breathing exercises, or a full-face of sun on a warm day. It is primarily soul rest that we need; a heart-soothing, soul-sighing, deep-down rest.

And where does David source this kind of calm? In the Lord. David acknowledges that rest for our souls is intrinsically linked to hope in the Lord. Now that Jesus has come, God has finished the work of salvation on our behalf and we can calm our souls in the peace that his victory has won for us. Just like a little child who finds comfort, trust and safety in the arms of their mother, so we receive calm for our souls from the Father who loves us.

In summary, as believers, our hearts are no longer ruled by fear or shame but by the peace of Christ (Col 3:15). In your moments of restlessness, remember the Lord and the soul-rest that He provides for you. We may not ever experience the deep rest that we long for on this side of the New Creation, but we can know the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, even in our current chaos. This is thanks to Jesus and His Spirit who lives in us. When we come to His word, when we meet with His people, when we seek His kingdom above all else, we are pursuing true rest.

Friends, our Lord is returning soon. The new city will be established, God’s kingdom of peace will reign fully and finally. Our hearts will be stilled, our souls will sigh in relief and our lips will praise Him who made all of it possible. Don’t give up. Keep looking to your Saviour for the rest you long for.

6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience, 7 he again specifies a certain day—today. He specified this speaking through David after such a long time:

Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people. 10 For the person who has entered his rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, then, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.

Hebrews 4:6-11