My eyes blink open to the wake of another morning, that time of day when we most feel the weight of “tired” wash over. I swing heavy feet out of bed and anchor them to the floor, only to rise rigid and stiff, like an iron statue standing after centuries of slumber.
I reach down for my newborn, cradle him close to my chest. Then, with sleeping legs, I step out to the room where my son is awake and loud with singing and talking and reading. It is only seven in the morning, and already, he busts at the seams with energy.
We descend, making our way downstairs, one step at a time until we reach the room of living and lounging — the place where toys are tucked away and where fun is to be had.
I’ve barely had the chance to brew or steep a cup of warmth and, already, toys spill out in tidy spaces, the crashing sounds like a crushing waterfall. It is only seven in the morning, and I am drowning in blocks and cars and things. The newborn is crying because he is hungry, and the kid is whining because he is not. And there I am yelling, telling my husband that I am ready to throw the toys away because I am hungry too — hungry for food to fill my belly and hungry for hope to hold me on days when I am tired of the toys and the mess they bring.
The truth is that I am not tired of the toys; I am tired of the toil. I am tired of the give and take of bone-deep strength. I am tired of washing up worn and weary from housework and world-work that keeps piling on, like heaps of laundry that gather and grow taller than mountains.
In my breakdown, a dawn comes breaking through, and it is the ancient truth of God whispering in the beginning, breathing calm into the world by calling forth light to push back the throw and threat of darkness. It reminds me of God in the garden, lacing land around wild waters and creating a boundary to control the dangerous deep. Yet, while God calms and controls the dark and the deep, their presence still persists — both literally and figuratively. For the world is not as it should be. It tilts and turns with a dangerous darkness and with the minds of men with free will. And, because of this, there will always be a reason to toil, to work and make this world more of what it could be (Genesis 1-2:2 NIV).
Even still, the story of creation holds out this hope for our hands: God rested, not merely after all His work was done, but He rested even while there’d be more work to do. This truth is hope for every seeking soul: Rest does not come by standing in perfected places. Rather, it comes by staring into the face of the One who shows us true rest — the One who sleeps through storms, only to then speak calm into the chaos and control wild winds with mere whispers of words (Mark 4:35-41 NIV).
Rest comes by looking to the One who came and will come again, as the true Light of the world, pushing back darkness, destruction, and death.
True rest on earth will come to you, not only when you believe in the One who is our rest but when you practice living like Him. Rest will come by pressing pause, by stilling the urge to control all that looms and lacks, all that teems with possibility, and all in need of tending care. It will come by choosing to see the light that is already pushing back the persistence of darkness. It will come by confessing that we’ve never had control, that, truthfully, we’ll never have it because we’ll never be the ones with the power to suspend galaxies and sustain life.
Rest can come, even while there is more work to do — more floors to sweep, more roots to weed, more hearts to mend, more soil to tend, more souls to save, more roads to pave, more work-filled days, more toys to tuck away.
So let your list of things messy and undone be a sign of your faith in a God who is always moving, whose list never runs dry of people and places to work in. Let the piles before you — whether tasks or toys — be proof that there really is more work to do and that God is in the midst of it. And may you practice rest in the midst of this work, trusting deeply that everything you put your hands and heart to will bring forth good in your world, in our world.
Bomi says
Thank you for the reminder that there is so much more to do, and God is in the midst of it.
Praise God! He is always with us!
May we keep our eyes on God, and may we always rest in Him.
“And may you practice rest in the midst of this work, trusting deeply that everything you put your hands and heart to will bring forth good in your world, in our world.” – Amen, Amen & Amen. Very encouraging. Thank you:)
Rachel Kang says
So glad your soul was reminded of this truth today, Bomi. May it continue to echo on…and may you live and work and rest in knowing this.
Olivia says
Thank you! This reading and God’s word are refreshing and powerful! Weary is the right word for what I’m currently feeling- always more to do. God is good! His wonders, mercy, and grace abiding within wii give me peace and rest.
Rachel Kang says
Oh…that he would fill you up and wash over your weariness with hope and strength, Olivia. In moments of pause, lift up a prayer and ask for help to remember what a gift it is to work “with” God…in all things. Rest to you, as you entrust all things to him.
Madeline says
So beautifully written. I am reminded that Jesus took time to rest by going to a quiet place. I spend as much time as possible outside with daily walks. I choose to go alone and especially in the early morning I feel the connection and am in awe of creation- listening to birds and watching the animals. I remember being a cranky mom trying to juggling everything and wish I had had a deeper relationship with Jesus. It was superficial at best. It has taken much heartbreak to find peace and it is because I have finally realized it only comes from a relationship with Him.
Rachel Kang says
Madeline, I’m so with you. Walks outside in nature have been my lifeline…have reminded my of all the intricate details that God cares about and even controls. Makes my worries small and my work feel like it matters. May our Good Shepherd restore your soul on these daily walks.
Christina says
A reason to go back to work and a reason for hope in the midst of the undone. Love it. God used your to encourage this soul today. Thank you Ms. Kang. -And I am also a writer, but just beginning so I need to check you out more! Congrats on the book!!
Rachel Kang says
Truly, a reason to go back to work. This truth has sustained me in my recent transition from maternity leave back into the world of work. May this truth sustain you too, Christina.
Chris Jackson says
Such a great message this morning. There will forever be toils presenting themselves. God does show us the way to manage and to keep from being overwhelmed.
Rachel Kang says
I agree with you, Chris, through and through. He shows us the way and leads us, too. Trusting the same will be true for you as you head into a new week.
Becky Keife says
Rachel, the beauty and truth of your words blesses me this morning. And oh how I remember those baby and toddler days that you so perfectly capture! I want to tell you that that part of motherhood does get easier — yet even typing that, I know that easy isn’t the point, because rest, like you said, isn’t about a perfect place or an easy season, but about letting God reach in to the mess and provide rest like only He can.
Rachel Kang says
Oh, I know you know these days! I’m so glad we get to live from the truth that we are partnering with God when we work and even when we rest. He is so good to us…his ways are best. So much love to you, friend.
Dianne P Preibisius says
This was one of the best things yet from (In). We all need a reminder that ‘we’ can’t do it all, but the good Lord can. Thank you for putting these words to paper. God bless.
Rachel Kang says
Humbled to hear that, and humbled to be walking this same path with you. So glad we serve a God who makes it so that both our work and rest are fruitful. Much love, Dianne.
Heather Frakes says
Thank you, Rachel. This is just what I needed today.
Rachel Kang says
Heather, I’m so glad this touched your heart right where you needed it to. Sending love your way, today.
Joy Mead says
So beautifully written and encouraging! Thank you Rachel!
Rachel Kang says
Thank you, Joy…rest and peace be yours, sister.
Beth Williams says
Rachel,
The Hebrew word for rest is nuach-to rest, to be quiet. Sometimes, it is synonymous to shabat- to cease or to rest. The Greek word for rest is anapausis meaning cessation, refreshment. God calls us to more than just rest. He wants us to participate in a Spiritual rest even in the midst of chaos. Spiritual rest as the capacity to experience God in all things and recline in the knowledge of the Holy. That will only happen when we focus on the One who is & always will be the true Light of the world pushing back darkness, destruction & death. Rest will come when we give our anxieties, worries & trials over to God & let Him handle them.
Blessings 🙂
Rachel Kang says
Beth, all of this is such beautiful truth. I am so glad we get to join in with our God in pushing back the darkness…and that rest helps us to better do that. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and heart <333
Theresa Boedeker says
Love this encouragement to rest before the work is done. As it will never be done.
Rachel Kang says
So true, Theresa. Hoping you are finding rest!
Marinalva Sickler says
Raquel, I love your text. I’m a grandma raising two boys. Wesley is now 16 and Oliver is 6. Because I was a preschool teacher I learned to put away toys in containers. My house is small and I have hundreds of toys and I tuck away then daily with the help sometimes of Oliver. Resting is a challenge for me. Your perspective of resting on Christ is a lesson I needed today.
Rachel Kang says
Marinalva, I hear you when it comes to small spaces and keeping them tidy. A grandma’s work is so important. May you continue speaking grace and truth and fun into your two boys. And may rest and strength be yours <33
Melissa Ens says
“God rested, not merely after all His work was done, but He rested even while there’d be more work to do.” Ahhh, yes. Thank you for this reminder, Rachel.
Rachel Kang says
You are so, so welcome. In this with you, Melissa.
Laura Kacy says
This is soul-soothing and guilt-relieving. As a retirement aged mother of 2 teens with intellectual disability, I tend to think of my life as unique, but really is not. It is “mothering”, with frequent demands of time and affirmation, which has it’s TOLLS. The tolls are a call to rest in order to return to the best that Christ has called me to. Rest, from and in Him. Rest, the releasing of the now and imperfect. Thank you for lifting my eyes up to the hills, from where my Help comes from.
Rachel Kang says
Lifting my eyes up with you, Laura. Trusting God to wash that guilt away and for grace to remind you of the great work you are doing. Listen to your body…those tolls really are invitations to rest. To see all that God is already doing. Sending so much love and grace your way, friend.