The past two weeks have been nonstop and emotionally exhausting.

I tend to do better when I stay busy, filling my calendar with various obligations and social gatherings. The less downtime I have, the more productive I am. It’s like some weird time management game that I play with myself where I try to see how I can fit in the things I need to do between all of the places I need to be.

Downtime tends to be hazardous to my mind, as well. Thoughts get tangled within each other and I can often spiral into dark corners of my mind that are most certainly not from God.

Regardless, I know that need the rest time. But, I need to be purposeful with my downtime. To plan out my time so that I stay on top of my thoughts and process them in a healthy, Godly, life-giving way.

I can quickly get caught up in saying “yes” to things and forgetting that I need to take time to rest. I am more comfortable in the rushing around that I am in the quiet, stillness.

Yet, this is what God has called us to do. To be still and know that he is God (Psalm 46:10), and to go to him for rest when we are weary and heavy burdened (Matthew 11:28).

Psalm 23 is a meaningful picture of what a rhythm of rest and work can look like with God.

 The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
 He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.                                                                               He renews my strength.
 He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name. 

— Psalm 23:1-3

When we let Him guide us, he will teach us when to lie down, when to stop and drink, when to get up and go along the path, and even which paths to take. He will restore our souls and renew our strength.

May we lean into God for our daily rhythm of rest, work, and play.