Rest.
Written to Speak Blog.
Written by Tanner Olson.
@writtentospeak
Rest.
@writtentospeak
Last week I shared my list of 12 words for 2020.
January’s word is rest.
Rest.
Maybe, like me, you are learning how to rest. It’s not something I’m good at, but I hope to become better at it.
Here are a few things I know about rest:
Rest is holy.
Rest is vital.
Rest sustains.
Last year, my friend Barrett shared with me a few words that have changed how I view rest. He said, “we work from rest, we don’t rest from work.”
We begin with rest.
And that sounds painful to me.
I am eager to work, not rest.
There is always a list of things to do.
There is always something to write or clean or fix.
There is always someone to call or text or meet up with.
There is always something to do, but what if rest is where we begin?
I’ve been slowly learning that resting is not wasted time, but it is using our time wisely.
And it is rest that will allow me to not only work, but (hopefully) do better work.
It’s almost as if …
I need to step away in order to come back.
I need to slow down to move forward.
I need to sit back so I can prepare to lean in and move forward.
I need to shut it off and rest before I work.
I’ve heard that to rest is to trust.
Trusting that God can do more with six days than I can with seven.
Trusting Jesus when He says He will give us rest.
And I like how that sounds.
As 2020 begins, I know I need rest.
We need rest.
And we begin 2020 with rest.
What if how we started changed how we move forward?
Begin with rest.
Trusting that the rest will follow.
Rest well,
Tanner Olson
Written to Speak
I launched a Patreon!
Your support allows me to visit more classrooms, write more poetry, and spread hope in new ways!
When you join WTS on Patreon you’ll get exclusive poems & videos, discounts on merch, & more.
Plus, You'll receive free stickers & a personalized poem just for signing up!