Called to Contentment (Daily Refresh, 1-17-26)

Observing Sabbath-rest allows us to step into the same rhythm God established in creating the world. Scripture tells us when God rested from His work, it was because His work was complete (Genesis 2:1). God took joy in His accomplishment. 

In Hebrews 4:10, the writer draws a parallel between God’s rest and ours: “For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.” We’re invited to delight in His presence and share in God’s divine contentment.

This rest isn’t about taking a break from good works. It’s about surrendering the need to control by trusting in the completeness of God’s work. Our “rest” releases us from the burden of proving ourselves good enough to earn His love and approval. These things have been secured through Jesus’ finished work on the cross. When we step into this rhythm of rest, we can find contentment that spills over into every part of our lives.

Is God calling you to stop trying to do everything on your own and instead find peace in Jesus’ finished work on the cross?

Lay down your burdens, not out of laziness, but surrender. Believe that the One who made the world also takes care of you.

My Thoughts

I don’t know about you but I have trouble resting. I don’t mean falling asleep, although that is sometimes an issue, too. I mean “resting”, just letting go and being content with being in God’s presence and in a safe place in my life. I am always looking for the next thing that I need to do, the next appointment I need to go to, or the next person I need to call. Rest means that instead of looking around for what I need to do next, I am happy with what has already been accomplished and just rest. I am at peace and instead of having scatter thoughts all over the place, my mind is resting, too, as I consider my relationships with God and others as the blessing they are to me. Jesus has already done everything that needed to be done for me on the cross, so I don’t need to prove myself to God once I accepted Him as my Savior. Something in my mind, however, keeps wanting me to prove myself to others, and I need to work on getting to the point where I accept myself as I am and don’t strive so hard to please others. That way I can rest, whether they approve or not. That’s because deep in my heart and soul, I know that God approves and He is calling me to rest, to accept and to be content.