Funny enough, monasticism started with the idea of focusing on prayer, study, and contemplation; the idea of geting away from the usual distractions of daily life. Brother Lawrence really got this. Rest and contemplation are crucial, but we need to be cautious not to slip into laziness or become spiritually disconnected. The Christian life isn’t about withdrawing from the world; it’s about finding the right balance between serving others and renewing ourselves spiritually. finding a lifestyle of devotion in the misdt of busyness.
Jesus prayed to the Father, asking Him not to take His followers out of the world but to protect them while they’re in it (John 17:15). We’re meant to be salt and light (Matt 5:13-16), actively living out our faith in a broken world, not trying to escape it. Jesus also showed us the importance of taking time for rest and renewal. He often went off to quiet places to pray (Luke 5:16). Early Christians and Desert Fathers followed this example, seeking solitude with God.
Living our faith isn’t just about constant activity or sitting around waiting. It’s about striking a balanceᅳrest, renewal, and reliance are all crucial for our spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. The Christian life includes serving others but also making time for spiritual renewal, to pause, reflect, and recharge.
After Jesus sent the disciples out to preach, heal, and cast out demons, they came back exhausted. Seeing how tired they were, He invited them to rest. In Mark 6:30-32, Jesus tells them to rest with Him, showing that real rest isn’t just physical but also about finding spiritual renewal in God’s presence. As Jesus said in Matt 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Resting in Christ refreshes our souls. Ministry and service are vital, but rest is just as important. Overworking, even for good reasons, can lead to burnout, which isn’t sustainable for our spiritual health.
Interestingly, the word “holiday” comes from the Old English “hāligdæg”, meaning “holy day.” Holidays were originally meant for spiritual reflection and rest, rooted in worship. Though they’ve shifted to more communal and cultural celebrations, their origins were all about renewal.
The Sabbath, for example, is a day of rest and worship, reflecting God’s rest after creation (Gen 2:2–3; Exo 20:8–11). God also commanded the Israelites to let the land rest every seventh year (Lev 25:3-5), which was a time for renewal. In the same way, we need to balance our work with moments of rest and reflection.
In today’s world, where busyness and self-reliance are celebrated, taking time to rest and reconnect with God might seem odd. But it’s in these moments of rest that we find the strength to keep serving faithfully. Creating a life that balances work, rest, and contemplation is essential for maintaining our spiritual health and effectiveness.
Yesterday, i mentioned to a brother that the first thing we all need to learn is to break away from the routine in our minds! Quieting our soul before God. Like the psalmist, we must often pause and say: “Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” Psa 116:7
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk