Work & Rest

The cycle of work and rest provides insight into the rhythm of life.  God revealed this rhythm through his creation.  He worked for six days and rested on the seventh [Genesis 2:2,3].  Although work is God-given, it is not meant to go on non-stop.  Rest must interrupt work.  The same 6 + 1 rhythm is seen in the laws concerning Sabbath and the year of Jubilee [Leviticus 25:8; Deuteronomy 15].  A common challenge in the rhythm of work and rest is knowing when and how to move from work to rest and from rest to work.  For example, the religious leaders during Jesus day attempted to create rules for rest; however these ended up as more work rather than what God intended [Matthew 12:1-8].  With that awareness, any specific suggestions or advice received regarding rest must be viewed as guiding principles for rest rather than specific rules.

Take-away thought:  Leisure activities do NOT equal REST.