Walking The Road To Rest

The road to rest is the path God wants us to walk during our time on earth. The hard part is walking this path (and not running). In our busy lives it can feel counterproductive to walk a slow, steady pace; focusing on restoration and peace. When we stay on this route, we find God’s grace, mercy and purpose.

The background image on my computer screen is a reminder of God’s rest. It is the verse from Jeremiah 6:16:

Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.

Jeremiah 6:16

This verse reminds me of Narnia, a book that I am sharing with my son and in the process rediscovering the magic of storytelling. Words are woven together, crafted by the author to elicit an emotion or create an image for the reader, these are the words that stay with us.

The Bible is a story, woven together through human hands but written by God’s inspiration and it is in these threads that we find rest for our weary souls.

I love walking this road with God. I love reading His word and being reminded that every step I take is done with Him because His presence is always with us. And when I look at my computer screen during a busy day of blog writing or podcast editing (or mothering), I take a deep breath and ask God for the good way so I can walk in it.

How do you know if you are on the road to rest? Let’s look a little deeper.

You Must Seek the Road to Rest

To know if we are on the right road, we must look for God! If we find ourselves walking a road alone, there is a chance we are on the wrong path.

More than walking with God, we need to seek God so He can provide His provisions for the road. It says in Matthew that we are to seek Him and take His yoke upon us.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28-29

It seems counterintuitive to take something on in order to find rest, but it is the first step. Rest is found in joining ourselves with Jesus. The action of taking His yoke is what lightens our load because He doesn’t sit in the cart behind us urging us on, He comes along side us to carry the load with us.

Finding rest doesn’t happen alone, on the wrong road leading to our own desires. It happens when we unite ourselves with God, letting Him guide our steps and carry the burdens we were never meant to carry.

The Road to Rest is Full of Comfort

God gives us good things. It may not always look good at first glance, like taking a yoke upon ourselves, but at the root, the heart of if, it is good.

And how do we know if it is good? If it is from God. Sometimes this means sitting in an uncomfortable position as we wait for God’s answer. That may not sound restful but it actually can be an incredibly restorative place.

While we wait, we can find comfort in God. Find comfort in His presence, His tender care and His unwavering love. The road to rest is one of comfort, not always comfortable but full of peace, the kind of peace that is given by our Heavenly Father.

The Road to Rest is a Holy Sabbath

We take a sabbath during the week not just to take a break from our work but to seek rest in God. A day where we can focus on His teachings and find deeper connection with Him.

For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly.

Leviticus 23:3

While we seek Him all week long, it is in the quiet of the road that we find Him. This is why He instructed us to keep the sabbath holy, not just for ourselves but for Him.

God craves connection with us. He wants to meet with us, to converse with us. Conversations are best done without distractions. We need a good road to do that, a day when we don’t have a to-do list beckoning to us.

And in the busy days of motherhood this may feel impossible, but God will meet us on those sabbath days too. The ones where you still cook and clean because the situation requires it. God will still provide rest to your soul as you serve your family.

Choose the Ancient Path

The road to rest is an ancient path. It is marked with struggles and difficulties, but they are also marked with the comfort and love of your Heavenly Father.

Seeking rest means seeking God. It is taking His yoke upon us and doing what He instructs (like keeping the sabbath holy!)

Walk the road with God, walk it in the quiet, walk it in the chaos and remember that the steps you take with your almighty Father will always be good. The ancient path will always lead to rest for your soul.

One of my favourite ways to seek God’s rest is through music. “All of My Days” by Ellie Holcomb plays in my truck as we run errands and in my kitchen as I make meals. A way to “slow down” even during the busy moments of my day! Grab your physical copy of the CD on Amazon.

Want more about rest?

Walk the road to rest with 10000 steps a day with God! Read more here.

Why are women afraid to take a break? Read it here.

Seeking rest at Christmas? Read this.