Seeking True Rest

We live in a world where we have forgotten what rest is. When people say they are resting, often what they are talking about is doomscrolling on their phone or trying to keep up with several group chats. So many of us are seeking rest as we go through our days exhausted and empty. As Christians, we have the promise of Jesus, who promises, “Come to me, all that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Often, we fall into making the easiest choice when we are already tired, and we hope that what we are doing will be enough to give us enough energy to do all the things before us. However, there are some qualities that we can look for in order to determine what might be better for us in the long term, and to incorporate truly restful activities into our lives. 

The first quality of true rest is that it is restorative. Obviously, getting enough sleep at night is part of this! Without enough sleep, it is easy to lose perspective and to become more anxious and upset. However, sleep isn’t the only restorative activity, and an activity that is restorative might look very different for different people and personalities. For some people, going out with friends is restorative, while for others it might be a hike on a trail. Sometimes, what is restorative might look different depending on the day, and whether you need something exciting like going to a concert, or something calming, like getting a massage. 

The second quality of true rest is that it is creative. When we create something, we are both connected to God’s act of creation in the world and our own imagination. A classic example would be doing something artistic, whether making a collage, coloring in a coloring book, painting a picture, or doing photography. However, creative activities might also involve playing a game, such as Scrabble or Pictionary, or doing something with your body. Playing a soccer game with friends can be creative as you think about where you want to go and how you want to move the ball. What matters the most is tapping into thinking in new ways so that you can bring a fresh perspective to the rest of your life. 

Finally, the third quality of true rest is that it has a sense of connection. When we think about why prayer can be restful, it is because it brings us a sense of communion with the Divine and with God’s people. Our liturgies as a Catholic Church are restful because they emphasize that we are coming together as a community to worship, and that the act of worship strengthens our communal bonds, as well as reminding us about our connection to God. However, this quality is not only found in our prayer! A good conversation around a meal or doing something as part of a group can both foster a sense of connection. I would also add that connection to yourself is part of this. Sometimes, when I am journaling, I can name what I am going through and the movements within myself better, and, while I might feel tired afterwards, I feel more rested because I have a better sense of who I am as a person. When we are engaging in a connecting activity, we aren’t running away or hiding from relationships, but choosing to engage with others, knowing that will allow us to feel more grounded. 

As you might have noticed from the examples above, sometimes a single activity can involve more than one aspect that makes it restful, but any activity that truly helps us feel energized will have at least one of these qualities. I hope that you can start to find things in your own life that will bring you true rest, and may you find rest in Jesus where you can lay down your burdens and find peace. 

Blessings, 
Sister Katherine

Get to know Sister Katherine and the rest of the Vocation Team, here. 

A Sister Reflects is also available as a podcast. Check out the show at the links below or enjoy this English audio version of "Seeking True Rest" on Spotify. 

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