Finding Rest in a Stressed-Out World: Jesus Is the Better Way

In our fast-paced world, stress has become a constant companion for many of us. The statistics are alarming: work is the number one cause of stress, one in four people cite stress as the reason for leaving their job, and 73% of adults report high levels of stress in their lives. Even more concerning, one in three Canadians aren't getting enough sleep, and half don't find their sleep refreshing.

Research has even shown that stress can be contagious and actually changes our brain structure, rewiring how we think and respond to situations. As we constantly live in a state of heightened alertness, our bodies and minds suffer.

Why Are We So Stressed and Tired?

The average person makes approximately 35,000 choices every day—that's 2,000 choices per hour or two choices per second! This constant decision-making, combined with our 24/7 culture where we never truly stop, creates a perfect storm for burnout.

We live in a world that never sleeps. Unlike years ago when TV stations would go off the air at night, today everything is available around the clock. Our phones keep us constantly connected, and we carry our burdens as if this non-stop lifestyle is simply "business as usual."

But Jesus shows us a better way.

What Was God's Original Design for Rest?

The concept of Sabbath began in Genesis, where God set the example by resting on the seventh day after creation. Not because God was tired or needed rest, but as a pattern for us to follow. The Sabbath was established as a day of rest, a day set apart as holy.

In Jesus' time, the Pharisees had taken this beautiful gift from God and turned it into a burden through excessive rules and regulations. They created 39 categories of prohibited "Sabbath work," including restrictions on plowing, sowing, and even tearing paper.

What Does Jesus Teach About Rest in Mark 2?

In Mark 2:23-28, Jesus and his disciples were walking through grain fields on the Sabbath. As they walked, the disciples began to pick some heads of grain. The Pharisees immediately objected, saying they were breaking Sabbath law.

Jesus responded by pointing out four important truths:

1. The Pharisees Made Sabbath a Burden Instead of a Blessing

The Pharisees had set themselves up as the lords of the Sabbath, creating countless rules that turned what was meant to be restful into something burdensome. They took God's gift of rest and made it oppressive.

2. The Pharisees Overlooked Compassion and Human Needs

Jesus reminded them of how David, when hungry, ate the consecrated bread that was lawfully only for priests. He pointed out their hypocrisy—they justified David breaking God's actual law due to hunger, yet condemned the disciples for breaking man-made rules for the same reason. Jesus was teaching that sometimes human needs trump rigid rules. The Sabbath is more than just following

regulations; it's about meeting human needs.

3. God Made Sabbath for Man, Not Man for Sabbath

Jesus clearly stated: "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." God created the Sabbath as a gift to humanity because He knew we would need regular times of rest and renewal. The New Living Translation puts it beautifully:

"The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and

not people to meet the requirements of Sabbath."

4. Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

Finally, Jesus declared, "The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." By saying this, Jesus was asserting His divine authority. He created the Sabbath, so He has the right to determine how it should be observed.

What Is the Deeper Meaning of Sabbath Rest?

Beyond physical rest, Sabbath has a profound spiritual meaning. Hebrews 4:9-10 tells us: "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."

Spiritually, Sabbath rest means ceasing our efforts to earn salvation through works. When we place our faith in Jesus—believing He is God's Son who died for our sins and rose again—we enter into spiritual rest. We stop trying to work our way to heaven and instead rest in what Christ has already accomplished.

Why Have We Lost the Art of Resting?

We've bought into cultural lies:

• More work equals more productivity

• Money and production matter most

• We must be accessible 24/7

We've become burdened by financial pressures, the high cost of living, and the desire for material possessions. Like the Pharisees, we're pressured by cultural expectations that rob us of the rest God intended.

How Can We Embrace Sabbath Rest Today?

To live the better way—Jesus' way—we need to accept His invitation to regular rest and renewal. Here's how:

1. Make a list of things that drain your batteries—activities that leave you exhausted.

2. Make a list of things that charge your batteries—activities that energize and refresh you.

3. On your Sabbath day, intentionally avoid the battery drainers and engage in the battery chargers. This is a choice we must make. We can continue living the exhausting "other way," or we can choose Jesus' "better way" of rest and renewal.

Life Application

As we head into a busy fall season, take time this week to evaluate your schedule and priorities. Ask yourself:

1. What activities consistently drain my energy, and which ones consistently recharge me?

2. What specific changes do I need to make to my weekly schedule to ensure I'm experiencing regular rest and renewal?

3. Am I trying to earn God's favour through my works, or am I resting in what Christ has already done for me?

4. What one practical step can I take this week to incorporate more meaningful rest into my life?

Remember, God gave us the gift of Sabbath because He knows we need it. When we embrace this gift, we not only honour Him but also care for the bodies and minds He has given us. Choose the better way—Jesus'

way—of regular rest and renewal.