If you’re reading this, you’re probably someone who works hard at your relationships. But are you remembering to rest? To take it easy for awhile? To let go of “intense”? When you focus all your energy on changing yourself, your circumstances – or your mate or anyone else – you miss out on some important possibilities. And it can be a sign that you’re trying to control stuff that’s not yours to control.
You don’t have the inside track on your relationship. Your mate has a perspective, too. Do you know what it is? By slowing down, resting together, and listening, you might find a solution your hadn’t thought of before. How cool would that be?
Resting is part of who we are created to be.
[callout]God Himself rests.
And He set that as a pattern for us as well. (Genesis 2:2-3)[/callout]
… an essential component of our relationship with the Father.
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;
for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,
just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest … (Hebrews 4:9-11)
Food for thought … or discussion
- How or where do you experience rest?
- When do you take a rest from your work?
- When do you take a rest from “fixing” your relationship?