"Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27, NIV).
We live in a culture of resistance. Resistance to submission. Resistance to confession. And resistance to rest. Why? Because we're constantly told that we need to do and be more to have "enough." Even with 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week, we never have enough time, energy, or motivation to get things done. Sometimes, I've thought that I could skip meals, sleep, or use the bathroom so that I could be more productive.
The issue with this type of wishful thinking is two-fold: 1. It's simply impossible. We're human beings with limited time, energy, and brain cells for the day. We weren't created to live like hamsters in wheels, obliged to the rat race of life. But 2. The Sabbath, the gift of rest, was God's gift to us—not something we should avoid or merely see as rules, restrictions, or pressure.
If we're honest, most of us feel guilty for resting. Not only do we avoid the Sabbath altogether, but we see it as something we can't afford to do. Who has the time? But did you know that people who obey the Sabbath scientifically live four to ten years longer than those who don't? Not only is that more time, but it's also time spent intentionally. It's a life spent in line with God's way of life for us. Because when we're anxious, productively driven, and overwhelmed, we don't need to try or push ourselves harder. We need to rest. We need to obey a command given for our good since the beginning of time.
Learning to obey this command won't come naturally, but three truths have made it easier for me to follow:
1. Sabbath Was God's Idea.
From the book of Genesis to the present, we know that God rested first. But God never grows tired or weary. He didn't need to rest. And yet, He rested long before we'd ever need to, so that we would have a model to follow. Rest isn't weakness or an inability to do all the things; it's trust woven into creation. Sabbath was God's idea, not to punish us, but to bless us with the rejuvenation He knew we would need.
2. Sabbath Is For Our Good.
Not only was the Sabbath God's idea, but rest restores our bodies, minds, and souls. Ever tried to complete a task with little sleep? Doesn't go well, right? The Sabbath works the same way. The more we resist it, the deeper the sleep debt we acquire. Instead of avoiding it, however, we can learn to see it as beneficial for us. The Sabbath reminds us that we are humans, not machines. Again, we have limited time, energy, and motivation. But we are loved for who we are, not what we produce.
3. Jesus Clarified the Heart of the Sabbath.
Beyond the other two truths, knowing that Jesus pushed back against the legalism of religion gives me immense hope. Why? Because it means that the Sabbath isn't rooted in strict rules, condemnation, or unrealistic expectations. The Sabbath was meant to bring life, not shame. So if rest feels unlikely, impossible, or heavy for you, then we've misunderstood it.
Learning to redefine the Sabbath in your life will take time, but here's what it could look like:
- Prioritizing presence over perfection.
-Valuing relationships over rules.
-Slowing down when you're tired.
-Learning to listen to your body instead of ignoring it.
-Delighting in the Lord.
-Worshipping even when life is hard.
-Doing what you can each day and knowing that's enough for that day.
You could also try asking yourself these questions:
-What would it look like to receive rest as a gift this week?
-How can I practically rest every day?
-Am I operating out of fear and exhaustion or rest and rejuvenation?
-How can I learn to see the Sabbath as a gift, and not another rule I'm failing at?
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Today, we pray to be released from a relationship of striving. Instead of living for perfection, rules, or what we can produce, please help us to live for presence, relationships, and slowing down. Show us that rest is necessary and needed, and engaging in it is healthy for us. Though this will take time, help us to redefine these views and embrace the gift of rest you've had in store for us from the beginning of time. We love, praise, and thank you, Jesus. Amen.
Photo credit: ©Unsplash/Natalia Figueredo
Related Resource: Instead of Doing More This Summer, Maybe You Need to Do Less
If you've been feeling tired, overwhelmed, depleted, or just quietly wondering where God is in the middle of a very full life — this episode is for you. And honestly? It might be for me too, because I'm recording this in one of those seasons myself.
Today we're doing something a little different. Instead of going deep in a passage, we're talking about what to do when deep feels like too much — when you need less, not more. Specifically, I'm walking you through one of my favorite practices for weary seasons: handwriting scripture.
Not typing it. Not scrolling past it. Actually writing it out, slowly, in your own hand — because something happens in your brain when you do that. The words land differently. They go deeper. And over time, they become part of that personal library of God's voice that the Holy Spirit can pull from when you need it most. That's what Psalm 119:11 means when it says I have hidden your word in my heart — it's scripture moving into your long-term memory, where it lives and stays even when you haven't opened your Bible in weeks.
I'm sharing the five verses I wrote out for myself today — and why each one hit me fresh even though I've known some of them for years. This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to follow the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Tuesday, 06 January 2026.
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