Resting is hard work!

I don't mean vegging out in front of the TV. That is not hard work. It's the easiest thing in the world. But it's also not actual rest--the kind of rest that refreshes you: body, mind and soul.

I mean, have you ever gotten up after watching an episode of your favorite show (or, let's be honest, *five* episodes of your favorite show) and thought, "Okay! Now I feel ready to tackle that project!" Probably not. Unless your favorite show is Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo.

Vegging out doesn't rejuvenate. It doesn't inspire. It doesn't refresh. It requires nothing of us and it gives nothing to us. Maybe it feels good, in a lethargic, slug-like way, but it isn't the kind of rest that sparks joy. It's not the kind of rest we need.

I've been devouring a variety of resources (like this one here) about rest, and practicing sabbath, and I've found I'm starving for it.

The kind of rest that involves no task list, no email, no Google, no phones at all. No advertising, no social media, no screens. The kind of rest that involves face-to-face conversation with your favorite people. Time in the fresh air and God's amazing creation. Extended time talking to and talking about God. Not working for Him. Not producing for anyone. The kind of rest that involves simply resting in your identity as God's child.

Celebrating. Delighting. Worshiping.

Making room for that kind of rest is hard work!

But don't you want it? Or at least want to want it?

I want it for you. And I want it for me.

That's why I'm so passionate about an event coming up in February called AbideCR.

It's one weekend in your year to practice the kind of rest I'm talking about.

Rest that refreshes you: body, mind and soul. Would you be willing to invest in that? Invest the time? Invest the money? Invest in a babysitter?

Early bird tickets are on sale now. And in case you were wondering, yes, they make great Christmas gifts.

There's so much more I want to say to convince you. But please, just join me. You won't regret it.

"Let us therefore strive to enter that rest..." Hebrews 4:11.