The Power of Rest: Building Connection with God and Others

Audio By Carbonatix

I don’t know about you, but I’ve trained myself to be a master at checking things off my to-do list. There’s something so satisfying about marking things as “done.” But here’s the problem—while rushing from task to task, I often find myself saying, “I don’t have time.”

I don’t have time when someone needs me.
I don’t have time when my husband wants to share every detail about how he fixed something.
I don’t have time when the phone rings, and it’s a friend, a co-worker, or my mother-in-law.

I love these people deeply, but in those moments, my mind races ahead to what I should be doing instead.

And that’s why rest is so important. Rest isn’t just about our bodies slowing down. It’s about giving our minds a chance to pause, disengage from all the tasks, and focus on what matters—people and God.

Without this intentional pause, even Sundays can become just another day to get things done. We may check all the boxes, yet we wonder why we still feel disconnected from God and others.

The good news? Rest isn’t just for the weekends. We can build this habit into our daily lives by incorporating routines that help us choose the best things first.

Routines That Lead to Rest

For me, my mornings are where rest and connection begin. My routine is simple but life-giving.

I get up, dress, and make myself healthy protein waffles. While cooking, I sip an amino acid drink packed with nutrition. As the waffles cook, I listen to the Bible. When breakfast is ready, I sit down with God’s Word. It’s during these moments I genuinely rest before Him.

I pray for others. I ponder His message to me.

Today, I’ve been meditating on this passage in Scripture:

“For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.” 
                                              - Romans 2:28-29 (NLT)

God reminded me that sometimes, we’re so busy doing things for Him and others that we forget to pause and connect with Him and others.

It’s a Relationship, Not a Job Description

Christianity isn’t meant to be a job description; it’s meant to be a relationship. When we have a deep, meaningful connection with God, the work we do flows out of love—not obligation. It’s not a to-do list that brings guilt if we miss a task.

But here’s the thing: we often think we have a discipline problem when spending time with God. In reality, we have a routine problem.

We can train ourselves to pause and connect with God just as we train to accomplish tasks. It starts with a simple routine—a small step in the right direction—and builds into a habit.

Start Simple

If you’re feeling weary, stop trying so hard to do better. Instead, start with a tiny, simple routine. Maybe it’s five minutes in the morning with a devotional. Maybe it’s a quiet moment at lunch or a walk outside as you talk to God.

The more time you spend with God, the more you’ll want to spend with Him. Over time, you’ll get used to hearing His voice and feeling His presence. That connection will carry you through the rest of the day.

Rest Brings Renewal

Rest isn’t just about checking out. Rest is about checking in—with God and others. When we pause to rest, it’s a reminder to open the door to meaningful connection. It’s a time to give our hearts and minds space to align with God’s will. It’s a moment to be fully present for the people He’s placed in our lives.

This week, I challenge you to pause. Schedule intentional rest. Maybe it’s just an hour to sit with a book, step away from your screens, or walk. Use that time to reflect and pray. Even more, use that time to simply be with God.

When you embrace rest, you’ll discover it doesn’t just recharge your body. It renews your mind, restores your soul, and deepens your connection with the One who matters most.

Additional Resources

Daily Bible Podcast

We’re Tricia and Michelle, two friends inviting you to join us in reading through the Bible chronologically this year. Reading the Bible every day can be a challenge. We’re here to summarize each day’s passage and provide action steps … in under 15 minutes. Grab a buddy and join our community. Take the plunge, and let’s read through the Bible together. We’ll be cheering you on all the way!

You can join us using your own One Year Bible© (if you’d like to purchase one, you can grab your preferred version using the links below). Or you can print up the One Year Chronological Reading Plan. If you don’t have a copy of the One Year Bible©, we will have the exact passages for the next day in the show notes. You can also subscribe to the One Year Chronological Bible Reading plan on the YouVersion Bible App.

Join us here.