So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. (Genesis 2:3 ESV)
Rest
There is an old country song that quips, “…worked my fingers to the bone, what’d ah get? … BONY FINGERS.” It is a discouraging song, however silly.
God’s desire for His people regarding work is not that we end up with bony fingers. But rather, He gives us work with which to serve Him, glorify Him, bring His ecology into our economy.
And work works best when we have rest, too.
A loving boss gives appropriate rest, rather than be a harsh taskmaster. A loving parent gives appropriate rest, rather than overwhelm our children. A loving steward gives rest to our land, our possessions, our employees, our partners, our friends, our companions, and nearly everything.
God loves us, and so gives us rest.
Yes, rest is pleasant. Yes, rest is restorative. Yes, rest is wise. Yes, rest is necessary.
But rest is also the result of God’s love.