The Rhythm of Rest

As a child, I took piano lessons. I quickly learned that the melody of each song, and therefore the part that swiftly gained my attention, was most often played by the right hand. My fingers would roll across the keys, filling the house with the familiar tunes of old church hymns. These were the notes most recognizable to others, coupled with plenty of wrong notes as well. (I’m not sure, but my parents probably each had a pair of well-worn ear plugs in those early years.)

The left hand, at first, seemed to have a more boring role. It most often was used to play chords rather than individual notes. Two or three fingers at a time would play keys in unison, creating a foundation for the beautiful melody that trilled above. Without this consistent rhythm the melody may veer off track or sound a bit hollow.

I feel like life has a soundtrack all its own. Meaningful moments may often be tied to certain songs, or memories rise to the surface when we hear a familiar melody. “I Choose You” by Sara Bareilles immediately calls to mind my wedding day and walking down the aisle toward the love of my life. The theme from Jurassic Park transports me to Schermerhorn Symphony Center, sitting next to my excited little boy watching the music come to life as dinosaurs roared on the big screen. “Hedwig’s Theme” from Harry Potter ignites the magical feeling of standing beside both my husband and son, jaws dropped, as we entered Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Orlando for the first time.

While these songs each play like a soundtrack in my memory, the daily melody of my life exists in that which people see and the actions and choices by which I am known. It is the part of daily life witnessed by and most recognizable to others. In isolation, the melody is beautiful, but it may also be a bit shallow if not coupled with a rhythm – the rhythm of rest.

Rest – real rest – is foundational to fully becoming and being the person God made each of us to be. Establishing routines of rest is vital to let our lives become melodies others will recognize as proof of God’s love, grace, and faithfulness.

I have heard friends say that they don’t know how to rest. (Ok, I’ve said it, too.) We become so consumed with focusing on our many roles, our many melodies in life—as wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, coworkers—that we honestly forget how to rest. Yet, rest is foundational, critical, and necessary.

Rest goes beyond taking a nap or turning off the television and going to bed early.
True rest must become a rhythm we set on repeat in our lives. We must create space for rest physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Jesus himself took time to rest – stepping away from the crowds, spending time alone with the Father, and creating healthy boundaries. (see Luke 5, 8 & 9)

In her book Sacred Rest, Saundra Dalton-Smith says, “Rest is about replenishing, restoring, renewing, recovering, rebuilding, regenerating, remolding, and repairing. It’s an opportunity to put back in order anything that has shifted out of alignment with God’s best…Lovely is a life anchored in rest.”

I imagine in the beautiful symphony of our present existence, God stands as the conductor, carefully coaching us along, bringing the melodies to a swell and offering us each periods of rest, altogether making our lives a soundtrack of praise for His glory.

How will you establish a rhythm of rest in your own life? Are there boundaries you need to set emotionally, physically, or socially? Do you desire to establish a routine for daily prayer? Do you need to become better about speaking up for yourself, saying no, and communicating your needs? Have you spent so much time listening to the melodies of others, yours has become a bit muddied with beliefs or habits that are not God’s best for you? Are there red flags (or wrong notes) that point to a relationship, a job, or a commitment that is depleting you in some way? Where is your melody getting a bit off track?

Take your needs before the Lord. Find rest in Him. Know that He will listen, and I’m pretty certain He doesn’t own a pair of ear plugs. Ask God to help you establish and maintain rhythms of rest, listening to your body to become more in tune to what you need physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.

God can and will use your life to create the most beautiful melody when you are rooted in rhythms of resting with him.