“People in a hurry never have time for recovery. Their minds have little time to meditate and pray so that problems can be put in perspective. In short, people in our age are showing signs of physiological disintegration because we are living at a pace that is too fast for our bodies.” - Archibald Hart

Today in Ontario we are given the gift of a statutory holiday – an additional day off work, an extra chance to rest. Oddly enough, we often resist rest – even (perhaps especially!) when we need it most. Is rest something you take seriously, for your body and soul’s sake? Or something you neglect?

Click Here for a helpful note to remind yourself of the deep importance of the spiritual practice of rest.

How can you practice rest more deeply today?

“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” – Psalm 116:7

Take a few minutes to engage with God’s word today through the SOAP method of Bible Study.

Scripture: Click Here to read Romans 15:1-13 (MSG) Read the passage over slowly, prayerfully and attentively a few times. As you do, allow God to highlight a word, phrase or verse – something that jumps out at you personally.

Observations: Think about what is being said, by who, and why they might be saying it the way they are. What is the surrounding context? What other background information do you have? How and where do you see the heart of Jesus in this? Don’t make conclusions or applications yet, just observe everything you can.

Application: Now consider how this passage might apply personally to your life. In what way does it speak to your own circumstances? How can it help you? How does it challenge you? How does it call you to love both God and others better? How does this word from God apply directly to your day-to-day life and how you are learning to follow Jesus?

Prayer: Now that you’ve read and reflected on God’s word and begun the process of application to your life, simply talk to God about it all. Share what’s swirling in your head and heart, allow space to listen for what the Holy Spirit is wanting to say to you in return as well.