I stared at the words I’d read and reread for the last few hours, but my brain refused to comprehend what it needed to do. Forcing myself to sit at my desk hadn’t helped move the work along, but my stubbornness kept me seated. I watched the cursor blink in the same spot, telling me I was wasting my time, but how was I supposed to tap into my creative side or generate work when I felt completely poured out, empty?
Through the window, I heard the kids call for me to watch them do cartwheels on the front lawn for the tenth time in the last half hour. I wanted to relish the last days of summer with them, but I was being pulled by the stern demands of deadlines. I shouted, “I’ll be there in a second!” But that second stretched into long minutes that still kept me in my seat.
I clicked through the many other tabs open on my computer to find something that would require minimal thinking, but every task and project were at the point where they needed my focused attention. I closed my eyes, closed the laptop, took some deep breaths, and surrendered.
I leaned back in my chair, resigned and frustrated at my inability to push through, but in that quiet moment by myself, I sensed a different pull in my heart — an urgent invitation to rest. It didn’t demand from me as the deadlines did, but it did warn me that if I didn’t take a break, I would break eventually.
I reflected back on the last year and half and noticed how much I had needed to care for everyone around me. Rest had seemed like a luxury I couldn’t afford to have for myself, and I’d started to believe that the mark of a generous, loving person was to give until I had nothing left. It was the unhealthy belief that I had grown up with — that being like Jesus meant martyring ourselves at the altar of service to others, that our holiness wasn’t founded on Christ’s righteousness but on the scars we bore, on how far our arms had been stretched out for the sake of others.
But we are not robots created for incessant work, nor are we the saviors of the world. Rest is essential.
Rest is resistance to a do-it-all culture that tells us to prove our worth. When our value is measured by what we can offer, our humanity is hollowed up and thrown away. It’s no wonder we can so self-righteously determine a person’s destiny by their usefulness, instead of seeing them as beloved, cherished human beings just as they are — just as we are.
So we must rest to resist. We must rest so we can keep going. We must rest because we have limits and because we can trust God with all that needs to get done.
Adrenalin had concealed the full weight of what I had been carrying, and as I sat exhausted at my desk, I could feel it all. My body and mind and soul were weary. I was spent. I had come to the end of my strength to carry on.
The lie that I was only as valuable as what I produced enticed me to open my laptop again and keep pushing through, but I decided to heed the warning to rest. I walked away from my desk, stepped outside into the embrace of the sun, and watched with delight as the kids showed off their cartwheel moves. I marveled at how much they’d grown and matured in the time we had been at home and away from our school and church communities. It was a long, hard year, and there was so much we’d never get back. But this was a moment to relish — the fun, the giggles, and the joy of accomplishing a perfect cartwheel.
I sat on the front step and felt my body exhale. There would be time to finish everything I had to get done, but for now, all I needed was to rest.
Leave a Comment
Kathleen Burkinshaw says
Dear Grace, I really needed to read this today. My soul along with the rest of me is beyond exhausted. Thank you and God bless.
Grace P. Cho says
I’m so glad it spoke to you, Kathleen!
Mary Beth says
I KNOW what you’re writing about, but I couldn’t follow that advice myself. I, was just diagnosed with Covid yesterday (yes, I’m fully vaccinated). I refused to rest, so my body found a virus that has forced me to stop & slow down. I’m not allowed to work (in office or at home) so I’ll be resting for the next week. Thankfully my case is mild, so I’ll truly get to relax. I’m frustrated to have Covid, but grateful for the invitation to rest.
Grace P. Cho says
Mary Beth! My heart hurts reading this. I pray it passes mildly and that next week you’ll find the rest you need.
Beth Williams says
Mary Beth,
So sorry you have Covid. Asking God to send healing to you quickly. God uses many things in His arsenal to get us to rest. Praying your body gets the rest it needs.
Blessings 🙂
Deanna Day Young says
I have tears rolling down my cheeks as this was meant for me to read today. God knows all we need and He knows who to use to fill that need. Today, for me, it was your writing. Thank you for the reminder to rest and refill and rejuvenate. I need to do that and to let myself be filled with the Holy Spirit instead of chasing every deadline and frankly, dead end. Thank you.
Grace P. Cho says
Sending you hugs, Deanna. God knows us so well. Also, that line “instead of chasing every deadline and frankly, dead end” — yes to that!
NancyM says
So true, Grace. We have to remember even Jesus would take a break from his disciples/followers, and go off by himself to pray/rest. By taking a break we get to see God’s glory and appreciate it – whether it’s our children doing cartwheels or seeing the sun set or whatever…
Grace P. Cho says
Yes!
Kathy Brower says
Grace, thank you. This is exactly
how I’ve been feeling for weeks. Exhausted. On all fronts. Thank you for finding the words to encourage the rest of us who feel like we’re dragging around our own empty souls. There’s a way back to peace and full-living. It’s on my schedule to really rest in my Sabbath tomorrow. Thank you, again.
Grace P. Cho says
“Dragging our own empty souls” — I feel that so deeply. Thank you for sharing.
Kellie Johnson says
Grace,
How timely, for me and probably most others as the weight of the last year and a half has been heavy in so many ways. I just revisited a study on Sabbath I did a few years ago and was reminded recently, and again today through your words, that sometimes the call to trust God with the things we leave undone is uncomfortable, but oh so worth it, and even necessary.
Kellie
Grace P. Cho says
Yes and amen!
Ruth Mills says
Why do we find it so hard to rest? But we do! Our Creator God knew us so well He commanded us to take a rest every 7th day. Yes the Sabbath is for worshipping Him but it benefits our physical, emotional & spiritual well being. What a smart, loving God we have! Thank you for sharing your experience to help remind us all!
Grace P. Cho says
Yes He is!
Paula says
Your writing touched my heart and soul. I didn’t rest, in fact I ran faster and harder when I knew I should rest, and I broke. I broke physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I was and am so blessed that God sent an army to lift me up, to help me heal, and to be my strength when I had none.
Grace this message is so powerful and important. Rest, just rest – and isn’t that what God asked us to do by His example on the Sabbath. I will now heed the call to rest whenever I hear it and I’m printing out your message just in case I ever forget to rest. Thank you.
Grace P. Cho says
Thank you for sharing, Paula! I’m the type to want to run faster and harder too. I’m praying we both continue to learn to Sabbath well in our lives.
Diane says
As i sit on a ferry going to work seeing in my minds eye the Grace of rest, balance and life refreshing calm in this. Thank you Grace
Grace P. Cho says
I can imagine the peace as you rode the ferry this morning. Praying for peace for you tonight too.
Melissa says
Oh, Grace. As an enneagram two this is one of the hardest things for me to do without being awash with guilt. Growing up as a pastor’s kid, Martyrdom, in any fashion, was held up as the only way to be truly Godly. It is embedded in my spiritual DNA and I tend to forget about grace. Thank you so much for the reminder.
Grace P. Cho says
I FEEL YOU SO MUCH, MELISSA!!! I’m a fellow 2 and PK as well! Working out and away from guilt has been a big part of the work I’ve been doing in therapy and in life. Grace for us today and always.
Julie says
Thank you Grace. I feel God is also speaking to me to tell me to slow down. I am burning out and it has been a very tough few years of constantly pushing myself and being the rock for my family. I am at the end of my tether and am so tired and weary. I need to take time for some self care!
Grace P. Cho says
I pray you find a way to rest even in the midst of the caring, Julie. I know sometimes we don’t have a choice but to care and work and keep going, but I pray that even in small, short moments, you can take deep breaths and remember that you are cared for and loved by God.
Rachel Roy says
I have heard this message in church, podcasts, and so many devotionals lately. So great that we don’t have to do it all and be everything to everyone. Thank you God for rest and for filling our souls and hearts when we are weary and empty.
Grace P. Cho says
Repetition is key, right? I love that God speaks to us in that way.
Elaine Rhoades says
That is so me thank you for the insight. My heart is heavy because of all the sickness and depression that is all around me. I ask God every day to bring our country to rest. To renew my mind which is so spent and worn out
Thank you Elaine
Grace P. Cho says
Thank you for sharing, Elaine. Most days I’m heavy-hearted too. <3
Angela Lam says
You’re right on! As I enter the last nine months toward menopause, I am discovering I need more and more rest like a caterpillar entering a cocoon. As a fellow Asian American, I know the resistance to rest is both cultural and familial. May we all find the courage to take the breaks we need to replenish our bodies and souls.
Grace P. Cho says
A caterpillar entering a cocoon — I love that imagery as you say you’re entering a different season. Yes, may we all find the courage to rest.
Becky Keife says
“Rest is resistance to a do-it-all culture that tells us to prove our worth. When our value is measured by what we can offer, our humanity is hollowed up and thrown away. It’s no wonder we can so self-righteously determine a person’s destiny by their usefulness, instead of seeing them as beloved, cherished human beings just as they are — just as we are.” Wow. Yes. All of this. Thank you, friend.
Grace P. Cho says
Love you!
Dawn Ferguson-Little says
Grace thank you for what you shared. I know you feel you like to get your work done. Then spent time with your kids I don’t have any. But was a Registered to for 19 years. I just wasn’t brave enough to give birth. But did love kids. What struck me as Registered Childminder. Was I used look after kids. Who had parents could have spent more time with there kids. Rather than working all the hours. To earn as much money as they could. I used to look at the kids and say to myself. One day the parents will look around themselves and the house will be empty. They will say were did those years the house was noisey. Kids demanding our attention. Now it quite. Thoes parents will look back at the years they spent working. Say why didn’t I do less work. It not all about money. It about spending time with my kids. As long as you get enough to pay your bills put clothes on their back food on the table. As kids I used to say will when big remember the time their Parents spent with time. You as Parents don’t want to have your kids say. Too you. But when you were growing up. You were more instreased in your work and sending us to the Childminder. Yes as good as she was. She was not you. We would have liked less time at the Childminders. More time with you our Parents. That sad if that happens. We always get in life what does us. We don’t need to think if I worked more. I have more money to do this and this. Yes that is nice. But what is more important. Working less and putting time into your family. As long as you get enough to do you all. As when kids are growing up through those years. Thoes are the most important when memories are made for them. With there Parents. Not spent all the time working. So it is good I say for Parents be who are working to stop working as long. Rest and relax be with their kids. As the years fly by. Before you know it they are gone. You only get to see them now and then. Taking time away from work and resting and putting the time in your kids and making memories with them. We that don’t have kids. We have to not work work. All the time. We don’t have to feel it all about making money as long you get enough to do you. As you will burn out. It could affect your health. Our Lord rested. That is why he gave us 6 day to work. On the 7 rest. As we need it. Our bodies need it. So let’s take a leaf out of our Lord book. Take time to rest. Even if you have no kids. Still rest. Or if have kids don’t be working all the time. Rest and spend the time with the kids. The kids will appreciate it. They look back at their child hood and say yes our parents went to work. But they also rested had time for us and made memories with us. Not work work all the time. Thank you Grace for what you shared. I loved it. Keeping you all incourage in my prayers. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little xx
Grace P. Cho says
Yes, our whole selves, our whole bodies need rest! Peace to you, Dawn.
Mary Carver says
You know I relate to this so much. So much. Thank you for putting it into words so beautifully, friend.
Grace P. Cho says
Love you so.
Marguerite Coutinho says
So beautiful, Grace
Well expressed. I love watching you and Becky Keife on your Courageous podcasts. Inspirational! Keep up the good work.
Beth Williams says
Grace,
This past year plus has played havoc in so many lives. We are all feeling frustrated, weary & worn. It has been especially hard on my hubby & I as we both work in hospital. I haven’t ever felt this worn out & done. our jobs are so hard dwindling resources-many people leaving hospital work- & more patients. Jesus commands us to rest in Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Jesus understands our need for rest better than anyone. He often went alone to rest & be with God. If He needed rest then how much more do we need it? We all have limits on our energy reserves. Resting restores us & allows us to fill back up.
Blessings 🙂
P says
I feel this way frequently. Mostly I get the urge to keep going when it is bedtime & I give in to that…thinking I can always rest later. Of course, I know better. I mean, yes I can take the time to rest later, but I need rest now, too. I’m still trying to figure out what is triggering this but do recall that it started just a few months after Covid hit. Thanks for your story & how you are handling this – I’ll give it a try.
Melanie Saunders says
Beautiful. Thank you so much, Grace, for blessing my heart with your words.
sevillas says
My goodness, I felt your words hit my soul. I was attempting to figure out a simple math problem, and I had no focus. It took me three hours! I think that was my signal that I needed some rest.
Julie Garmon says
I just love this post so much!
Julie