Rest is woven into the fabric of Scripture, beginning with God Himself. After six days of creation, God rested on the seventh day, blessing it and making it holy (Genesis 2:2–3). This pattern became a command for God’s people: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God” (Exodus 20:8–10). Rest is not merely the cessation of activity but a spiritual discipline, an invitation to align ourselves with God’s rhythm, replenish our souls, and declare our dependence on God.
Jesus modeled rest even amid pressing needs. Despite the constant demands of the crowds, He would “withdraw to desolate places and pray” (Luke 5:16; Mark 6:31). He also instructed His disciples, “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while” (Mark 6:31). If the Son of God, with the weight of the world’s salvation on His shoulders, took time for solitude and renewal, how much more should His followers?
While the Bible does not mention vacations explicitly, the principle of rest applies. Vacations, periods set aside for rest, reflection, and recreation, are not only permissible but necessary for people of faith. They provide an opportunity to step away from daily routines, receive refreshment, and return to service with renewed strength. However, rest is not an escape from worship or community. Christians are encouraged to continue gathering with God’s people, even while traveling, honoring the Lord’s Day as a time of spiritual renewal.
The needs of those the church serves are ongoing, but Christians are not called to be everywhere for everyone at all times. Only God is limitless and can do that. Strategic withdrawal is necessary: pausing for silence, solitude, and Sabbath is vital for sustainable ministry. When we rest, we acknowledge our limits and trust God to care for His people, even when we step away.
Many churches operate on a program year that mirrors the academic calendar, with a start and end to the ministry year. While not mandated by Scripture, this rhythm can be helpful, providing natural points for rest, reflection, and planning. What matters most is that the church, like its members, honors the biblical principle of rest, setting aside regular times for renewal, both corporately and individually.
Rest is a gift and a command from God, modeled by Jesus and essential for every believer. People of faith, and their places of worship, should embrace rhythms of rest, including vacations, not as escapes but as opportunities for renewal. In doing so, we follow Christ’s example, trust God’s provision, and return to our service refreshed and ready to love others well. Take some time to renew, refresh, for the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37). Rest is self-care; enjoy the summer.
