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FINDING REST IN A BUSY SEASON
December 19, 2025Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest. Hebrews 4:11a KJV
Hebrews chapter four is all about rest. Take time to read the whole chapter when you get a chance because embedded in it is this powerful truth: we must be intentional about entering God’s rest. Rest doesn’t happen accidentally – It requires purpose. Years ago, I heard a minister lay out the biblical way to prioritize your life with worship, work, rest, and play, and I had immediate buy-in on that order.
1. WORSHIP INTENTIONALLY. “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name” (Psalm 100:4). I try to start my day with a simple pattern of putting God first. Practically, before my feet even hit the floor, I acknowledge the Lord and talk to Him.
2. WORK HEARTILY. “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” (Colossians 3:23). Under the main priority of honoring and valuing and connecting with and fellowshipping with God, we are created for productivity. God said, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). We are not saved by our works, but we are saved to do good works – tobe fruitful and effective (Ephesians 2:8-10).
3. REST IN THE LORD. “And [Jesus] said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.’ (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)” (Mark 6:31).Rest is not a luxury – It’s a requirement built into the Kingdom of God. Even Jesus withdrew to rest before and after He ministered to people and He taught His disciples to do the same (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; Matthew 14:23). Biblical rest is not to be confused with apathy or laziness. It may look like inactivity, but it is actually an active stance of trust, waiting on the Lord, casting our burdens on Him, and knowing He is God.
4. PLAY AND BE REFRESHED. “In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed” (Exodus 31:17b). Play is part of rest. You may think it’s just for kids at the jungle gym, but the Creator of all designed us to enjoy His creation – hobbies, laughter, and recreation.
All four of these biblical components have balance with each other. But first and foremost is our priority to daily connect with God!
DEFINITION: play, verb To use any exercise for pleasure or recreation; to do something not as a task or for profit, but for amusement. To sport; to frolic.
God bless you,
Pastor Jeff Perry
PRAY THIS OUT LOUD: God, today I choose to rest in You (Psalm 37:7). I love You with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27). I put You first (Matthew 6:33). Show me what to work on, how to rest in You, and how to enjoy this beautiful life You’ve given me (Psalm 127:1-2). Thank You for coming to earth on a rescue mission and for humbling yourself to be born in a manger. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
Copyright © 2025 St. Louis Family Church, All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. “Play, V.” Webster’s Dictionary 1828, MasonSoft Technology Ltd., 2025, https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/play.
