The Sacred Gift of Rest

Dear RCC Family,

In Genesis 2:2-3, it is written: And God rested. If the Creator of the universe modelled rest, commanded it as a rule in the wilderness, and Jesus explicitly reminded us that the Sabbath was made for our own good (Mark 2:27), what more permission do we need?

School life is a blessing, but it is undeniably demanding, for everyone. We all work remarkably hard for the success of our students because we understand this journey as a true calling and a wonderful blessing. However, even the most wonderful blessings can introduce an unspoken pressure to achieve well.

Unfortunately, we easily spot where we miss the mark, and the resulting stress leaves us running on empty. Welcome to Week 11 Term 2, right!

Enter the idea of rest. My understanding of the biblical concept of rest is that it is a sacred sign of God’s covenant of love for us and protection of us. This is why it is one of the 10 commandments! It’s so important for us and when we do it, it proves our ultimate value isn't found in a completed to-do list, but in our quiet, faithful devotion to Him.

Rest is also central to the Shalom model of living; if we rest well, we serve and work well.

To achieve God's purpose for the Sabbath, we must recognize that:

Rest Requires Preparation: Intentionally organising our time to make a pause possible.
Rest Requires Self-Discipline: Actively choosing to step away and put down our tools.
Rest Requires Wisdom: Understanding our limitations and honouring our biological and spiritual needs.
Rest Requires Faith: Trusting that God will provide, even when our work feels unfinished.

As I share rest in this light, it becomes clear that resting this way in our hectic, VUCA world is a counter-cultural choice. Resting doesn't have to hinder our commitment to excellence; quite the opposite, when we are well rested (and surely any parent can testify to this truth) we are more able to sustain our excellence.

My prayer for our community during this semester break for our students is rooted in the definition of "refreshed" from Exodus 31:17, “but on the seventh day He ceased from labour and was refreshed.” To be refreshed is to re-soul, re-live, and re-purpose.

May God bless you and your families with deep, restorative peace and some time for well-planned and well executed refreshing.

Good tidings,

Jonno

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