Rhythms of Rest: Finding True Rest

Rhythms of Rest: Finding True Rest

“This book is a labor of love and a gift to all who desire deeper engagement with God’s blessing of rest through sabbath.”

A Book Review of Shelly Miller‘s “Rhythms of Rest: Finding the Spirit of Sabbath in a Busy World”

We diligently set intentions for various aspects of our lives,

ReadAlso

HIV/AIDS Relief Funding Freeze: A Wake-Up Call for African Leaders

The Unseen Victims of Divorce

A Review and Breakdown of Donald Trump’s Policy Reforms:

such as work, academics, relationships, finances, recreation, and faith.

However, we often overlook one crucial area: rest.

In our increasingly busy lives, we rarely take the time to envision what a restful day would look like,

let alone dare to dream of devoting an entire day to rejuvenation.

The idea seems unrealistic, as our perception is that there simply isn’t enough time.

Rhythms of Rest: Finding True Rest

Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) offers a powerful promise of rest:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.

Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.

Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.

Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Yet, in today’s fast-paced world, these words may seem increasingly irrelevant.

Despite our hectic pace, we’re often left feeling drained, struggling to find rest amidst the chaos.

We know we need margins in our lives, but the relentless cycle of chronic tiredness can be overwhelming.

If you’re struggling to find rest, Shelly Miller’s “Rhythms of Rest” offers a timely reminder of the profound beauty of Sabbath.

This book will reawaken your mind to the precious gift of rest, revealing how God invites us to find refuge in Him and guiding us on how to respond to this sacred invitation.

While “busyness” may seem urgent, rest proves to be an even greater necessity.

In “Rhythms of Rest,” Shelly Miller offers a treasure trove of wisdom, drawn not only from her knowledge but also from the testimony of her life.

With vulnerability and grace, Miller shares her story of getting lost and then finding her way, guided by the gentle hand of God.

Now, from a place of overflowing joy and gratitude,

she invites us to join her on a journey of rediscovery, to take the hand of the One who knows the way home.

Miller’s book also echoes the biblical narrative of creation,

where God crafted the world over six days and then, on the seventh day, stepped back to admire His handiwork with deep satisfaction.

Isn’t this the very rhythm we yearn for in our own lives – to conclude our week’s work with a sense of fulfilment and then truly rest?

Yet, as Shelly astutely observes, “Unfortunately, in our world today, contentment in work that lends permission to rest seems elusive.

Our work is never fully finished. And that’s why we don’t allow time for rest.”

I especially appreciate how the author redefines what rest truly means, drawing inspiration from the creation story.

Shelly skillfully dispels common misconceptions about rest, highlighting how it’s often misused as an excuse for laziness or a permanent halt to productivity.

In reality, rest is not a full stop, but rather a pause that allows us to recharge, recalibrate, and refocus,

preparing us to tackle new challenges with renewed energy and clarity.

Rhythms of Rest: Finding True Rest

Miller further illustrates this point by referencing the sixth day of creation,

where God didn’t declare, “I’m finished,” as a pretext for resting on the seventh day.

Instead, God’s creative work continues unabated, demonstrating that rest is not a culmination, but rather a rhythm.

Consequently, our rest days should transcend mere indulgence – sleeping in, binge-watching TV shows, or simply vegging out.

Rather, they should be intentional times for reflection, gratitude, and rejuvenation, motivating us to return to our endeavours with renewed purpose and vigour.

Miller offers another profound clarification in her book, expertly distinguishing between routines and rhythms.

A stark difference exists between establishing routines for rest and embracing the rhythms of rest.

While setting routines for rest is not inherently bad – they provide structure and serve a specific purpose – they can become overly rigid, correct or incorrect.

On the other hand, Miller describes rhythms as nuanced and uniquely personal.

Rhythms embody the art of living a life infused with meaning and intention, mirroring God’s creative process.

According to Shelly Miller, living in rhythm is akin to a fluid dance, where one adapts and adjusts to the world around them with ease.

Rhythms evolve, yet remain focused on what truly matters, allowing for a harmonious balance between flexibility and purpose.

Shelly Miller also notes that rest is not just a casual selection from a list of options, but rather a deliberate allocation of time, set apart from our work.

When we choose a rhythm of sabbath –

whether it’s a silent pause at our desk, a midweek retreat for quiet reflection, or a weekend day for play and contemplation – everything changes.

We may even discover a deeper appreciation for ourselves. But it all begins with a single, intentional decision: to start!

Are you ready to harmonize your life with the rhythm of true rest?

In her book “Rhythms of Rest,” Shelly Miller takes us on a thoughtful 12-chapter journey, unlocking the secret door to genuine rest.

As we walk through this door, rest ceases to be an elusive luxury and becomes our go-to choice, even amidst a crowded agenda.

Rhythms of Rest: Finding True Rest

Below are 20 key takeaways from Shelly Miller’s “Rhythms of Rest”

When we believe there is never enough time to do everything, we become aimless and forget why we are here on earth.
A life built upon sabbath is contented because in rhythms of rest, we discover our time is full of holiness of God.
Busyness in the wrong things ultimately leaves us completely unprepared for what is most important.
A lack of intentionality when it comes to how we rest leads to a depleted life defined by what the world dictates.

When we are overtired and dreading the alarm clock, we miss out on the hints towards happiness God is leaving for us.

Sabbath is an invitation for intimate conversation.

It is an intentional quieting, transforming information into tangible experience, into words and sentences that harness our purpose and calling.

In Christ, Sabbath is a personal invitation for restoration and recreation uniquely fashioned for each of us.

If we are called to be separate from the world and different from the norms society dictates, sabbath communicates that difference to the people around us.

When we choose to rest from work, it is an act of compassion towards ourselves. But if we are resentful, it is impossible to practice compassion.
Choosing rest is the practice of loving yourself.

You must become compassionate towards yourself first, in order to become compassionate towards those around you.

God gave us sabbath as a commandment, not so we could achieve His love, but to show us how deeply He already loves us.
Clarity isn’t always instantaneous, but comes with a result of persistence, perseverence, and practised faith.
Sabbath is a reminder that there are no last chances with Jesus.

In Christ, each day is a new beginning of ‘hello’ and ‘I love you’. And all of his precepts are trust worthy.

God’s authority is complete, perfect, and unchangeable, which means nothing can be added, taken away, or edited regarding his intention about sabbath.
More than our effort to separate a specific day of the week for rest, God longs for our presence with him…

More than what we do for him, he longs for us to be with him, to trust He is working all things together for our good.

God’s creation is a life-giving inhale for all of us, and sabbath is the exhale. Without the exhale, our breathing becomes shallow or nonexistent.
Within the context of rhythms for our busy workaday lives, if we abuse time by neglecting to incorporate sabbath into our week, eventually,

what is natural becomes burdensome, uncomfortablle, disrupted. Over time, a lack of rest leads to wilting capacity.

We all have reasons, and good ones, as to why rest remain elusive.

But, if we were to truly examine the truth, fear would often be found as the origin of our excuses.

Yet, some excuses are beyond our control.

But most of us, especially those in leadership, lack the inner permission to slow down and get help.

Sabbath is about celebrating the goodness of our Creator.

Stand back like an artist looking at his masterpiece from a distance, and you’ll notice the gradations of colour and vibrancy in life formally missed in your busyness.

When we think of Jesus, we think of Him as doing things—praying, casting out demons, speaking to crowds, feeding throngs of hungry people, healing the sick.

But he also disappeared a lot.

He withdrew to a mountain, the wilderness and even paddled out in the middle of a body of water to be alone and pray. (Mark 1:35)

“Better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hardwork and chasing the wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:6)
“Steep your life in God–reality, God–initiative, God–provisions.