Weekly Devotional: The Importance of Rest

“Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

Spring break is right around the corner, and you may have big plans for the week. Maybe you are going on a trip with friends or traveling home to see your family. Either way, time away from school provides an opportunity to do something exciting.

While making plans over break is good, it is important to not lose sight of the value of setting aside time to rest.

The significance of rest is discussed several times in the Bible. When God created the Earth, He worked for six days and rested on the seventh day. God did not need to rest, but He did so to set an example for us to follow. Exodus 34:21 says, “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.” Even in the midst of busy seasons, we are commanded to take time to rest.

Sometimes, it is not easy to take a break, as doing so involves putting our full trust in God. In order to come to a complete state of rest, we must let go of our own plans and submit to God’s plan. Rest also requires us to acknowledge that we cannot do everything on our own and that we must rely on God’s strength.

As Christians, we can find rest in spending time with Christ. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” If this semester has been busy and stressful, it is even more important to set aside time to recharge over break.

No matter what trials we may be in the midst of, we can give our concerns over to God, because of His great love for us.

Dedicating time to rest allows us to spend time in God’s Word and align our hearts with His, and we can return to our work feeling refreshed and able to put forth our best effort.

With spring break coming up, I encourage you to give your worries to God and truly rest. Take a break from your busy schedule to find peace in the Lord’s presence, so that when you return to school, you can finish the semester with a newfound strength that comes from Christ.

The Department of Spiritual Life at Grand Canyon University provides students with opportunities to explore who Jesus is and to grow in a personal relationship with Him. To learn more about GCU, contact us today!