The theme of work and rest is woven throughout the warp and woof of Scripture.  While there may or may not be some progression in the revelation concerning sabbath (no need to get into that here), the theme of rest persists from creation to Hebrews (again, not getting into an exegetical discussion on that either, tempting though it is!)

I sometimes look at others slightly enviously in this respect.  I used to have a job that began when I left for work and finished when I chose to pack up and come home.  I see people with employment that they can forget about when they leave and genuinely have a free weekend.  Perhaps one day is busy with church, and the other is busy with other activities (a change is as good a rest, so some say).  The issue faced by someone taking rest seriously is how to get that in the midst of weekend projects and commitments.

Somehow that seems like a slightly easier challenge than many others face.

For many, and I presume to include people heavily involved in church ministry, the challenge of rest is slightly different.  Putting to one side the busy nature of Sundays and acknowledging that for many the day of rest has to come somewhere else in the weekly calendar.  But that’s the problem.  For many of us our work, whatever that is, is always there and always hanging over us.  It’s not easy to leave the desk and forget about the message you’re preparing for this Sunday, or the series coming up in a few weeks, or the ministry schedule and necessary early research for next year’s preaching calendar, etc.

So there’s the challenge – how to be sure to get the rest that we need physically, emotionally, mentally and, of course, spiritually, when the demands continue to hang over us?  One day off every week.  One genuine vacation/break every year.  One sabbatical every X years.  Sorry to add another thing to think about, but God has made it’s importance clear, so how do we meet the challenge of rest?