The Gentle Call to Rest
Life often feels like a race. There’s so much to accomplish and so little time to reflect. Yet, amid the busyness, there is a quiet voice, a gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit, whispering the truth we so often forget: that it’s important to rest.
Even after I took time off from work over the holidays, I found myself striving, burdened by expectations I placed on my own shoulders. The darker, slower days of winter—when creation itself seems to exhale and pause—carried a tender reminder to breathe deeply and rest. This rest is no mere luxury; it is a necessity of the soul. St. Francis de Sales captured it beautifully in Treatise on the Love of God when he described rest as a time “for the heart to embrace [God] and to make Him its own.” He called it a sacred feast, a chance “to spiritually drink and eat the perfections of divinity, for we make them our own.”
Scripture echoes this call to holy pause: “Stand by the earliest roads, ask the pathways of old, ‘Which is the way to good?’ and walk in it; thus you will find rest for yourselves” (Jeremiah 6:16). These ancient paths invite us to return to the simplicity and trust of following God’s will—a rest not of escape but of presence, where we walk hand in hand with the One who knows our every need.
“Have regular hours for work and play, make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well” (Louisa May Alcott, Little Women).
The Biblical Call to Rest
“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath” (Mark 2:27).
The practice of the Sabbath originates in the beginning of time. According to the creation account in Scripture, God worked for six days and rested on the seventh. He did so not out of necessity—God does not grow tired—but to establish a rhythm for us to follow (Genesis 2:2-3). The Ten Commandments later codified this pattern, commanding, “Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).
The Sabbath is not merely about physical rest; it is deeply tied to worship and trust in God. By resting, we affirm that our value is not in productivity but in our identity as beloved daughters of God. It is a countercultural statement of faith. As Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien once reflected, “We all long for Eden, and we are constantly glimpsing it: our whole nature … is still soaked with the sense of exile.”
Why We Need the Sabbath
I’m guilty of finding my sense of worth entangled in what I achieve at work and home. The Sabbath reminds us that our identity is not in what we do but in who we are. Taking time to rest allows us to refocus on our ultimate calling: to love and serve God. C.S. Lewis wisely noted, “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” The Sabbath offers us the opportunity to reset and redirect our lives toward God.
Intentional rest fosters connection with God, family, and friends. In a world dominated by screens and schedules, the Sabbath offers an opportunity to gather for Mass, share meals, and engage in meaningful conversations. It’s a time to be fully present with loved ones and strengthen our relationships.
Pope St. John Paul II wrote in Dies Domini, “Through Sunday rest, daily concerns and tasks can find their proper perspective: the material things about which we worry give way to spiritual values.” When we embrace Sabbath rest, we allow ourselves the time to recharge and receive God’s grace. This renewal is essential for sustaining our vocations, whether as professionals, mothers, or friends.
What Does This Sabbath Look Like?
The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. Attending Mass anchors the Sabbath in its proper context. Making Mass the cornerstone of your day, whenever you can, will help ensure everything else flows from that encounter with Christ.
As Tolkien said:
Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament … There you will find romance, glory, honour, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves on earth, and more than that: Death: by the divine paradox, that which ends life, and demands the surrender of all, and yet by the taste—or foretaste—of which alone can what you seek in your earthly relationships (love, faithfulness, joy) be maintained, or take on that complexion of reality, of eternal endurance, which every man’s heart desires.
Protect your Sabbath by saying “no” to unnecessary work or obligations. It might require planning ahead or delegating tasks, but setting clear boundaries will help create the space you need for true rest.
Rest doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means doing what restores your soul. For some, it might involve prayer, reading, or journaling. For others, it could be baking, taking a long walk, or spending time with family. Choose activities that draw you closer to God and foster joy.
Use part of the Sabbath for gratitude and reflection. Look back on the week, and recognize God’s presence in your life. This practice will not only deepen your faith but also help you enter the new week with a spirit of hope. The Sabbath is designed to bring us closer to God and to the people we love. By embracing this sacred time, we can find the balance and renewal we so deeply need.
C.S. Lewis said it best: “The present is the point at which time touches eternity.” In a world that never stops, let us dare to rest and, in doing so, rediscover the joy and freedom that comes from living as God intended.
Amber Apple is a Digital Marketing Manager by day and a writer by night. When she’s not weaving tales for her novel, you can find her in her natural habitat — snuggled up on the couch, lost in the pages of a captivating book, clutching a steaming cup of tea. Her love language is baking French pastries, so if you’re craving a daily dose of mouthwatering recipes and delightful musings, visit her blog, mrsamberapple.com, or connect with her on Instagram @mrsamberapple.