The Power of Rest // M-Note 5.23.2026

After a busy season of ministry, I spent some time yesterday doing something I haven’t done enough of recently. I rested. I didn’t sleep or lay around but instead I did a few things that bring me joy. They were pretty simple things. A morning run, reading with a cup of coffee, a conversation with an old friend that was planned, an impromptu visit with another friend that was not, and time in the kitchen cooking a meal (I love to cook). It was a reminder that God’s first commandment to humans was to rest, to keep a day set apart that isn’t focused on doing, but focused on being.
 
Years ago, I preached a sermon series about this called Rest. Even though I KNOW this stuff in my head, I slip from practicing it in my life. I love my work, being available to people, checking tasks off a to-do list. My family teases me about my inability to sit still. And yet I know that I need time set apart for rest, for activities that being me joy, for moments that draw me closer to God, and time for the relationships that matter most in my life. Rest is one of the first activities God practices, and it is one of the first commandments he gives us to practice. It is also the easiest one to break.
 
So as we head into this holiday weekend, I hope that you find time to rest. Practice Sabbath. If you need to know how – what exactly to DO when you aren’t supposed to do anything? I will give you some quick tips. Choose at least some activity that draws you closer to God. Do things that emphasize relationships over responsibilities, down-time over busyness, and enjoyment over productivity. Try to be truly present wherever you are, instead of anxious about the future. If this is hard for you, or you feel guilty about it, remember, God told you to do it!
 
As you head into this weekend, I hope that at least one of those Sabbath activities is worship on Sunday. I will be there and continuing to preach about parenting kids in faith. I will talk about the stage of life I am in right now, parenting older teenagers and young adults. It is a tough stage, and I bet you know someone who might really appreciate this message. I hope to see you in church. If you are out of town, take a little time to worship online, to be part of a community, to connect to God.
 
Enjoy your day, rest, and I will see you in church.
 
Peace,
 
Matt
 
PS: We have over 50 Summer Hangs lined up for this summer, and I’m betting at least one of them is an activity that feels restful for you. There really is a Summer Hang for everyone! Check out the full list at https://gatheringnow.org/summer.