If you’re a consistent reader of this blog, you might have noticed a slight hiccup in my usual weekly posting rhythm. But fear not! The apocalypse didn’t sneak up on us, and I didn’t mysteriously disappear. And no, the omnipotent “cloud” didn’t conspire against me either. I simply did something a bit out of character—I took a break. Yes, you heard it right. I had the chance to attend a pastor’s conference, and it was like hitting the refresh button. I was able to learn from some incredible leaders, eat some great food, connect with some amazing people, and laugh… a lot. It was a great time.

Even amidst all the joy, excitement, and confidence that I was exactly where I needed to be, doing exactly what I should, there lingered this nagging feeling of panic, guilt, perhaps even a hint of failure… I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. That Wednesday morning, as I failed to hit that “Publish Post” button, a chorus of doubts echoed in my mind: “You’ve got to maintain consistency,” “You’ve got to deliver SOMETHING,” “You’ve dropped the ball entirely.” It took me a while to silence that inner critic, especially when one of the sessions that day preached the power of consistency. Eventually, it dawned on me that while consistency is key, it applies directly our patterns of rest.

Genesis 2:2-3 recounts the conclusion of the creation narrative, stating, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” Now, here’s the kicker about God—He doesn’t tire, He doesn’t grow weary, He doesn’t need rest at all. As Isaiah 40:28-29 reaffirms, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” So why did God rest? He set an example, knowing full well we would need it. He understood our tendency to labor tirelessly, forgetting the true wellspring of strength—Him. And that verse concludes by reminding us that God “gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” How do we tap into that strength and power? By resting in His presence. That’s the source, that’s the hope. He is where we find life, energy, and strength. Feeling tired or weary? Come to Him.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

I am so grateful for the gentle reminder that even the Almighty took a breather, setting a timeless example for all of us. As we juggle the demands of our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the importance of rest, yet it’s in those moments of rejuvenation that we find our greatest strength.

How do you prioritize rest in your own life? Do you find it challenging to hit pause, or have you mastered the art of balancing work and rest? Share your thoughts and strategies in the comments below! Let’s learn from each other and embrace the power of resting in the presence of the Lord together.