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“And by the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested (ceased) on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.” — Genesis 2:2 (AMP)

“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.’” — Isaiah 30:15 (NLT)

The beginning of my sabbatical has been filled with mountaintop experiences, ocean views, moments of awe of nature, deep reflection, and fresh discovery.

I’ve been reminded of just how much I’ve been doing for most of my 35 years as a disciple of Jesus. Three months after I was baptized I was leading a small group. Just three months after that, I joined a mission team to start a new church with a heart set on full-time ministry.

But even God, who created all things, showed the importance of rest. He worked for six days, and then He ceased. He made that seventh day holy—not the days of work. That truth has been challenging me this week.

I still have responsibilities. I still have a full-time job. Not everything can stop, and I am enjoying my time with God and the life he's given me. What I am learning to do is to stop feeling like I need to lead everything—to stop carrying the weight of ministry on my shoulders, and instead turn fully to Him. To rest in Him. To find my strength in quietness and confidence—not in activity.

This week, I’m learning how to cease.