I have noticed that some things that I do can make me feel more peace and rest, while other things that I do just wear me out. If I am doing something that I am good at or that I just really want to do, the effort is diminished and I don’t really feel tired afterward, although I may have worked hard. On the other hand, a supposedly easy task can feel difficult and tiring if it is something that is not meaningful to me. Rest can be found in our efforts, if our heart’s desires are fulfilled.
Hebrews 4:9-11 says, “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.” We should stop trying to obtain God’s favor by doing works, but rather, we should enter God’s rest by trusting in His work of salvation and redemption through the cross of Jesus Christ. We persevere in doing good works by the power of God and motivated by the love of God, rather than in order to earn God’s favor.
Reluctant Retiree 