“Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.”

Psalm 119:27 NIV

Part of me still wants to feel guilty for saying this, but yesterday –

I rested.

The most “productive” thing I did all day was gather eggs and feed the chickens and other animals for my parents who are on a mission trip.

The remainder of the day I just talked to God.

I cried out to Him on my knees.

I sat on the porch swing and listened for His guidance as I read His Word.

I laid down with praise and worship songs playing and lifted up my own thoughts to Him in agreement with the artist.

I napped a bit to the sway of the swing in the breeze of a coming storm.

I sat in wonder at the sound of rain pounding in the distance until it swept over the metal roof I was sitting under in wave after wave of wind.

I smiled at the bursts of bird song released between those waves.

I simply sat and meditated on God’s Word, agreeing with Him, listening to Him, and seeking His insights on how to apply His truth to my life.

It was the least productive day and also the most productive day I’ve had in years.

You see, I’m a writer, but I didn’t focus on writing. I’m a worship vocalist, but I didn’t sing. I’m a teacher and children’s leader, but I didn’t prepare any lessons or programs. I’m a mother and a wife, but I didn’t make any meals or do any laundry.

In my earthly thinking, I accomplished little to nothing and part of me wants to feel guilty about unchecked boxes on a never-ending to-do list.

But God – how I love those words! – God has shown me with my spiritual eyes that I did the most productive thing I could do.

For that day, I put aside all of the other roles I have on this earth and I focused on the most important one: being a faithful daughter of the King.

I spent the day with my Heavenly Father. Crying out to Him honestly in heartache and gratitude and awe. Leaning into Him. Meditating on His Word. Asking Him to teach me to be more faithful to Him. Marveling over His command of the wind and rain and His creation of diverse bird songs, not missing that the most remarkable songs often come from the drabbest or smallest of birds.

Truly friends, the psalmist had it right when he said that there is great peace in God’s Word (Psalm 119:165), that God is our hiding place and our shield, that our hope is in His Word (Psalm 119:114).

If you have a tendency to go-go-go, if you find that the to-do list for your life is looming larger in your vision than Who you’re doing life for, then I encourage you to take a day to rest in the Lord.

As a dear Brother reminded me once, even Jesus slipped away from ministry at times to be alone with God in prayer (Luke 4:1-2, 14-15 and 5:16 and 22:39-44; Matthew 14:1-13).

Set aside your earthly view of productivity, and find a quiet place to spend the day in prayer and reading, in worship and praise.

God wants you to cast your cares on Him (Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7).

He wants to renew your strength (Isaiah 40:31).

Will you rest in Him today?

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