Resting in God

Have you ever noticed how rarely Christians talk about resting in God—especially in a way that doesn’t sound borrowed from yoga classes or mindfulness apps? In much of contemporary Christianity, "rest" is under‑taught or reduced to a Sabbath day off. Yet the biblical theme of rest erupts quietly in Genesis, weaves through Israel’s story, and reaches its crescendo in the new‑creation rest of Revelation 21–22.

Meanwhile, postmodern culture celebrates nonstop productivity. Whether you’re a parent juggling work and dinner, a ministry leader chasing deadlines, or a student hustling for grades, the message is the same: keep moving. Achievement and hard work—good things in their proper place—often crowd out the space where God’s rest renews, enables, and provides. Even prayer and Bible reading can begin to feel like one more item on a crowded to‑do list.

Before we layer on spiritual practices, we need clarity:

What is Rest in the Biblical Narrative?

Rest in Scripture is richer than a day off; it is the rhythm that beats beneath the whole biblical story. The Hebrew verb in Genesis 2:2—שָׁבַת (shabat)—literally means to 'cease'. God stops creating, not out of fatigue, but to take up residence in the world He has made. Ancient readers would have recognized this as a royal or temple image: the king sits on his throne, the deity rests in his sanctuary. Genesis is telling us that all creation is God’s temple, and His rest is His presence filling it.

“Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool” (Isa  66:1).

In biblical rest the first man and woman, Adam and Eve experienced: 

1. Joy‑Filled Work – Adam’s mandate to work and keep the garden echoes later priestly language (Num 3:7‑8). Work was worship—creative stewardship with no looming deadlines, no Monday dread (Gen 1:28; 2:15‑16).
2. Open‑Hearted Relationship – “Naked and unashamed” signals total trust—no comparison scrolling, no hidden agendas, no body shame, no power struggles (Gen 2:25).

Both gifts hinged on TRUST. The serpent dismantled that trust by suggesting God was withholding good (Gen 3:4‑5). The result? Toil replaces vocation, blame replaces communion, and rest fractures into restlessness.

God’s pattern of rest continues beyond Eden. After delivering Israel from Egypt, He established the weekly Sabbath (Exod 20:11) so His people would lay down their tools one day in seven and remember that creation is sustained by His provision, not their labour. When Moses restated the command forty years later (Deut 5:15), he added a second lens: Sabbath also commemorates deliverance from slavery—a weekly reminder that God’s people are no longer defined by endless production.

Centuries pass, and the psalmist warns a weary generation not to harden their hearts as their ancestors did (Ps  95). Distrust always breeds restlessness. Fast‑forward to Galilee: Jesus looks at crowds crushed by religious and economic overload and says, “Come to Me… and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28‑30). Rest is no longer a place or a day—it’s a Person.

The story ends where it began, only bigger: Revelation 21–22 paints a garden‑city where God dwells with His people forever. No night shifts, no temple curtains—just radiant life flowing from the throne.

Solitude as Transformation

Solitude does more than recharge—it forms us. After days of teaching, healing, and facing opposition, Jesus would rise while it was still dark, step into the quiet, and listen for the Father’s voice. Those hours of prayer equipped Him to withstand temptation (Matt 4:1–11), choose the Twelve (Luke 6:12–13), grieve John’s death (Matt 14:13), and surrender in Gethsemane (Luke 22:39–46). Whenever He returned, He carried renewed clarity, more power and deeper compassion.

Our schedules often move in the opposite direction—phones buzzing, calendars crowded, value tied to output. For us, solitude isn’t a luxury; it’s a lifeline. In the quiet, the Spirit reminds us who we are, surfaces misplaced loves, applies grace to our fractures, and sends us back to our people with discernment and steadiness.

What does this mean for us?

If you juggle work and parenting, a Sabbath rhythm reminds you that the inbox doesn’t decide your worth. If you’re a student mapping out the future—or a dreamer with too many tabs open—stepping back isn’t wasted time; it’s trust in the Creator who multiplies surrendered minutes. And if you lead a church or ministry, fruitful work won’t flow from nonstop motion but from the presence you cultivate when the laptop lid is closed.

Every quiet prayer, every phone‑free walk, every deep breath of surrender is a preview of that coming city.

Why the Hold Space Framework?

Solitude is the first movement of Hold Space Framework because everything else—hearing the Word, discerning next steps—rests on renewed trust and communion with God. From Eden onward, the Father has pursued relationship, inviting creation into His rest (Heb 4:9‑11). Jesus embodied that invitation: slipping away before dawn (Mk 1:35) or after the crowds dispersed (Lk 5:16), not to avoid people but to be re‑centered in the Father’s love. In those quiet places He breathed Spirit and truth (Jn 4:23‑24) and modelled the Spirit‑filled life we’re called to (1 Jn 2:6).

At a Hold Space retreat we imitate that rhythm. Day 1 silences notifications and chatter so our hearts can remember the sound of God’s voice. Trust begins to mend; communion is rekindled. Then—and only then—do we move into the next two movements: Word Incarnation and Spirit‑Led Discernment.

Where to Begin

Like a child, we are privileged to start new things one step at a time. If you're trying to find your way home into the Father's arms, solitude starts simple. Choose one of these ideas this week, move slowly, and give God room to speak:

• Take a short walk without your phone and notice what's happening around you.
• Spend half an hour on a quiet hobby you enjoy doing alone, like painting, fixing something or journalling.

Below are some prompts to get you started.

Reflection Questions

1. Where do you feel restlessness most acutely right now?
2. What first step toward solitude can you take this week?
3. Read Psalm 23—what word or phrase settles deepest in you?

An Invitation to Rest

If you’re spiritually hungry yet unsure how to close the gap between longing and everyday life, solitude is your doorway. Chasing the Wonder is the ongoing conversation—helping us grow into “the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:13). Hold Space is where we practice that journey together.

The Hold Space Retreat

• Three‑day guided experience in Ontario’s countryside
• Scriptural Solitude // Word Incarnation // Spirit‑led Discernment
• Limited to 10-20 participants for deep, personal formation

Next Steps

1. Join the Movement to receive the Hold Space Reflection Guide (coming soon)
2. Add your email for early access to retreat registration.
3. Share this post with a friend who needs a breath of holy rest.

Rest is the first stride toward wonder. Let’s take it together.