Fridays are for ‘Reclaiming Words!’

The intent of this series is to explore words that I think need to be introduced — or re-introduced — to this current generation of college students.

These words have lost their meaning… or have been mis-used or redefined in unhelpful ways… and therefore need to be reclaimed and redefined (again) so that they can be realized by our students!

Today’s word: REST.

Our campus has been quiet this week, because students have been away on spring break… hopefully getting some much-needed rest.

It’s a word that means: the refreshing quiet or repose of sleep; refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion or labor; relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies,troubles, or disturbs; a period or interval of inactivity, repose, solitude, or tranquillity; mental or spiritual calm; tranquillity.

Refreshing quiet.

Sleep.

Refreshing ease or inactivity.

Relief or freedom… from anything that wearies… troubles… or disturbs.

Solitude.

Tranquility.

Mental or spiritual calm.

It’s similar in meaning to: stop, halt, standstill — terms that we tend to associate with “lack of progress,” “laziness” or “boring.”

In a culture that moves at the speed of 4G+ — rest is given little space or priority.

In a culture that measures worth by how busy we are, how full our schedules are — rest is considered weak and/or wasteful.

In a culture obsessed with trying to “get ahead” — rest is considered optional or something that can enjoyed “later.”

We are an increasingly wary people… in search of the next “best thing”… but so in need of rest.

The words rest, rested, resting, restore, restored and restless are collectively found only 508 times in the NIV translation of the bible — appearing in almost every  book in both the Old and New Testaments.

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Gen. 2:2-3

The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

But you will cross the Jordan and settle in the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and he will give you rest from all your enemies around you so that you will live in safety. Deut. 12:10

But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster. I Kings 5:4

“Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.” I Kings 8:56

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence… I John 3:19

There’s a thread of awareness given to both the need for rest — but also the giver of such rest — throughout God’s story.

Rest evokes a sense of peace and contentment that is not naturally found in our high-paced, achievement-oriented culture.

Our students (at least most of the students I encounter) seem to see rest as “optional” and for others — and have fully bought in to our culture’s prominent and celebrated tenets of busy, hurry and many as the “right” way to live.

Rest alludes them.

Rest escapes them.

And rest might very well be what they need more than anything.

How do we encourage our over-involved students towards rest?

How do we help them to find contentment in a healthy, more sustainable pace of life?

(How) do we model for them the value of rest?

Take a moment to share your thoughts in the comment section below.