Jermaine Francis

When I choose to quiet all the noise, I find HIM peacefully present there, waiting on me to join Him in the quiet.

Today I took a rest day, cause my soul needed it, even though I still have a long to-do list.

Sometimes I find it hard to rest. I’ve lived in a way that’s taught my nervous system that rest is unsafe. When I try to rest, my mind and body freak out, driving me to go do something and be productive.

I’ve unhealthily tied my value to work. I’ve felt like if I’m not doing something productive, then I’m not valuable. I’ve been spending the last few years undoing this deeply ingrained belief. It’s not just a cognitive belief it’s one deeply rooted in my body.

It’s the real deep work of learning how to rest in the arms of the Good Shepherd, knowing I’m deeply loved despite performance and productivity. I’m learning presence is enough, His presence is enough for me, and my presence is enough for Him.

I’ve burned myself out trying to work for God instead of just being with God.

I’m definitely nowhere near mastering rest and probably never will, but I am way more content with just being with God than doing anything for Him.

Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann says Sabbath is the resistance we are invited into, resisting and breaking free from the powers of Pharaoh and empire that seek to work us to death.

Moving into rest is an act of worship and surrender, saying: God, You will take care of me.

Take a moment—where in your life might God be inviting you to rest?