*Five Minute Friday is an initiative set up by Lisa-Jo Baker over at Surprised by Motherhood. It has now been taken over by Kate over at Heading Home. The basic premise is to take the word Kate gives and write, non-stop for 5 minutes. Then you stop and post. Read more about it here. This October, I am taking part in a series based on this called “31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes”, in which we commit to writing from the prompt as usual, but everyday rather than just on a Friday. Read more here.
Rest
GO
“And on the seventh day God finished the work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day… So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that He had done in creation.”
– Genesis 2: 2-3
Rest.
It’s the word that chases us around our busy days, whispering enticingly. Something we know we should do, but so rarely get to do.
But rest is more than a luxury, more than beneficial if you can find the time. It is as vital to us as breathing. It keeps us healthy, it keeps us sane. And it is sacred.
“God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it“
To rest is not an option to consider once we have got everything done. It is written into our very DNA – the imago Dei that glorifies God far better than busyness and the illusion of productivity.
No matter what we tell ourselves or those around us, there is always something we could say no to, something we could give up, some time in our days that is wasted or unnecessarily busy.
So, on this sacred day, let’s shelve the guilt, the pressure to be seen to be busy, even overwhelmed. Let’s make some time for prayer, for rest, for “re-creation”. Because when we are creative, we connect with the source of creativity, with God.
Put the kettle on. Grab that book you’ve been meaning to read for ages. Turn off the technology and just be with your family. If you are an introvert, make sure you have some quiet time to yourself this evening. An extrovert – make time to catch up with a friend. Leave the washing for tomorrow. It’ll still be there in the morning, I promise.
Relax. Breathe. Rest. Even God does from time to time!
STOP
