I think rest is a widely misunderstood necessity in our lives.
Rest is often understood as an absence of activity. But it is it as simple as that?
Ever taken a day to just do nothing and felt more tired afterwards? Ever felt like your stuck in a cycle of fatigue and exhaustion even when you are intentionally taking time off? I have found it more helpful to think of rest in the context of whatever is helpful for refreshing and recharging in a physical and mental sense. I have found asking, “what do I feel enlivened after?” really helpful for identifying how I can relax, recharge and refresh. What do you feel more alive after? Exercise, Arts, Culture, Creativity, Relationships, Reflection, Music, Adventure?
Some find a long walk, a gym visit, a sporting activity incredibly relaxing and refreshing, for them it is restful to engage in activity and they feel fulfilled in a physical sense as a result. Others love nothing more than to read a well written piece of literature, take a trip round an art exhibition, watch a acclaimed film or listen to their favourite music. Through art and culture they find rest and refreshment. Others love the process of creativity, maybe film making, painting, sculpting, home improvements, wood work but through the process of creating something from the raw materials they find they are physically energised and rested. Others find spending time with close friends and family recharges and rests them. They love grabbing coffee or throwing a party the process of engaging with others is where they come alive and find fulfilment. Or alternatively some find rest in the process of reflection. Time spent alone with their own thoughts for them is restful. The opportunity to process why, how and what next recharges them and energises them.
Rest is not always an absence of activity but the opportunity to recharge and re-energise in whatever way works for you.
Rest of course also involves sleep and diet. Whilst rest may not always be an absence of activity we know our bodies need certain periods of time each day where we close our eyes and recharge ourselves through sleep. There are thousands of studies that highlight the value of sleep conducted by people far more qualified than I am so I’m not going to unpack this further here but I would recommend taking a read of some of the articles via this link. http://ideas.ted.com/arianna-huffington-picks-16-articles-on-the-power-of-sleep/
Similarly diet has a huge effect on how our body functions. This article from the Daily Telegraph highlights how improvements in diet have helped student achievement in a school context. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/4423132/Jamie-Olivers-school-dinners-improve-exam-results-report-finds.html. Importantly the link between diet and our bodies ability to function well continues into adulthood. What we eat has a direct impact on our energy, concentration, mood, general health and wellbeing.
Creating healthy rest, sleep and diet rhythms are in many ways important. Spiritual health is incredibly important but healthy rhythms with regard to our bodies I think have direct value in the context of our spiritual lives to. If we are to create sustainability in ministry, we must first create healthy sustainable rhythms of living.
Long may we come alive as we intentionally create sustainable rhythms of rest in our lives.