Why We Need Rest

I like to always be doing things. This makes it difficult to rest regularly. But it is important to rest, and this is why.

In the story of Moses leading the Nation of Israel out of Egypt, where they were held captive as slaves, a command is given from God to the Nation, once they were on the other side of the Red Sea.

The command was to “observe the Sabbath.” The reason was simple: you are no longer slaves to Pharaoh. You are God’s people, and God’s people do not need to work in order to be considered valuable.

In the eyes of Pharaoh, the Israelites were only as useful as the work they did. But, in the eyes of Jehovah, the Israelites were valuable because they belonged to Him and were set apart to be His people.

This command to observe the Sabbath is less of a literal, take one day a week to rest, than it is a principle for a healthy mindset and lifestyle. You do not need to work in order to be valuable. You are valuable because you are made in the image of God.

For someone like me, who wants to always be doing something, this is so helpful because it keeps me from putting all my self-worth in the things I do. Instead, I do things because I enjoy doing them, and I want to bless others with the gifts and talents I have been given.

Therefore, work is an expression of gratitude.