The Afterglow of Rest: Returning to the Rhythm of God

A Women of Purpose Contribution

Inspired by the message “Rest and Church” by David R. de Beer.

See the full sermon here:

We are surrounded by motion but starved of stillness.

Overcommitted. Underrefreshed. We do, we go, we serve, we say “yes” — until our souls whisper no more behind smiles that stay on.

Even in the church, especially in the church, we can forget:

Rest isn’t laziness.

It’s obedience.

It’s holy.

In the beginning, God rested. The Eternal One paused — not out of weariness but wisdom. He carved a rhythm into creation: six days of purpose, one day of peace. That pause was not a suggestion. It was sacred. It still is.

To rest is to declare, “God, You’re in control — I am not the source of my strength. You are.”

But here’s the tension: We don’t just neglect rest — we overcommit in its place. We measure worth by output and ministry by momentum. And soon, even the things of God become a weight we were never asked to carry.

True rest is not found in an empty calendar.

True rest is found in Christ.

Jesus didn’t invite us to a nap. He said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11). Not rest that numbs — rest that revives. His yoke is easy. His burden is light. His presence is our Sabbath.

And yet… we’re burning out in the name of service.

We’re often Martha, preparing rooms for a Savior who just wants to sit with us.

We’re Ecclesiastes 4:6 in reverse — choosing two handfuls of toil over one handful of peace.

We build, hustle, host, volunteer… sometimes for God, often without Him. Even ministry can be vanity if it’s disconnected from abiding. Fruitfulness never comes by force. It comes by resting in the Vine. (John 15)

But rest was never meant to be solo.

There’s a kind of rest that only happens in community — when the Church gathers.

The early Church knew this. They devoted themselves to it — breaking bread, praying together, sharing everything. Their rhythm wasn’t just personal — it was corporate.

We need one another.

Church is not a checkbox.

It’s a body.

When you’re missing, the body limps.

When you’re present, the Church breathes.

We were never designed to walk this journey alone. Yes, intimacy with Jesus is personal — but never private. The Spirit moves in community. The enemy isolates. Choose wisely.

And let’s speak plainly — church is not optional.

If it is, your children will treat it as replaceable.

Your disciples will treat it as casual.

Your legacy will reflect your priorities.

Church is not the thing to cancel when life gets full.

It is what fills you for life.

Jesus Himself went to the synagogue as His custom (Luke 4:16).

He also withdrew to rest (Mark 6:31).

One does not replace the other.

Both are holy.

Church should be a joy — not a burden. A rhythm — not a requirement. A delight — not a duty.

If it feels heavy, pause and ask:

Am I doing this with Jesus or just for Him?

Have I made service my identity instead of sonship?

Have I confused exhaustion for faithfulness?

Let the Holy Spirit renew your mind.

Let the joy of being with Him restore your strength for serving Him.

Let church become part of your rest — not a threat to it.

Because when the Church gathers in surrender and joy…

When worship rises like incense and hearts meet in truth…

We remember who we are:

The Body.

The Bride.

The resting place of God.

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Selah. Pause. Consider.

• What if the greatest gift you gave your family was not a perfect life, but a rested soul?

  
  

• What if your loudest witness was your commitment to God’s rhythm — both in stillness and in gathering?

The afterglow of true rest is peace.

The fruit of true Church is strength.

Don’t trade them for toil.