Developing a Rhythm of Rest
Blog developed from: Hurry – Soul Thieves | Tim Birdwell | Week 1
We live in a culture shaped by hurry.
Busyness is celebrated. Exhaustion is normalized. Productivity is often treated as proof of purpose. Yet beneath the pace of modern life, many people feel weary, anxious, and disconnected; even when things appear to be going well.
Scripture points us to a different way.
From the very beginning, God established a rhythm of rest. In Genesis 2, God completes creation and rests on the seventh day. Not because He is tired, but because rest is woven into the design of life. Humanity’s first full day wasn’t spent working; it was spent resting in God’s presence.
This pattern matters.
Rest is not a reward for finishing everything; it is a starting place. When we reverse God’s rhythm; working until we collapse; we begin to live outside of how we were designed to function.
The result is often burnout, distraction, and diminished love for God and others.
Rest Is a Gift, Not a Burden
God reinforces this rhythm in the Ten Commandments by calling His people to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. Notably, this command is the longest of the ten. For people who had lived generations as slaves, God was teaching them how to stop. Just as the Jews where slaves to the Egyptians, we are slaves to our phones, media, and our jobs.
Sabbath is not merely a day off. It is intentional rest set apart for the Lord. The biblical idea of Sabbath includes ceasing from striving, delighting in God, reconnecting with people, and remembering that our lives are upheld by Him, not our effort.
In a world that constantly demands more, Sabbath becomes a declaration of trust.
Jesus and True Rest
Jesus invites weary people not to better time management, but to Himself.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 (ESV)
Rest is not found in doing nothing; it is found in abiding with Jesus. He does not offer a checklist, but a relationship. He does not remove responsibility, but He reshapes how we carry it.
Jesus calls us to live and work from rest, not toward it.
Why Rhythm Matters
Without a rhythm of rest, even good things can become harmful. Hurry limits attentiveness. Distraction erodes compassion. When life is lived at an unsustainable pace, love for God and people is often the first thing to suffer.
A regular rhythm of rest:
- Reorients our hearts toward God
- Restores our capacity to love others
- Guards our souls against exhaustion and anxiety
- Reminds us that God is sovereign
Rest is not about laziness; it is about alignment.
The Invitation
Developing a rhythm of rest requires intentionality. It may mean guarding time, setting boundaries, and saying no to certain demands in order to say yes to what matters most.
God’s design is not hurry, but wholeness.
Not exhaustion, but renewal.
Not striving, but trust.
When we learn to rest with Jesus, our lives begin to reflect His peace. And from that place, love moves again.
To learn more about why hurry steals our soul watch the sermon bellow.