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I remember waking up early on the morning of my wedding to steal away for a little while on my own before the busyness of the day began. I wanted to connect with God and ready my heart for the covenant I was entering into. I learned this from the example of Jesus, and I treasure the hour I spent praying alone and reading Scripture.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus says a phrase that would have captured the hearts of those around Him: I am the Good Shepherd. For Jesus, to shepherd His people well meant protecting them, leading them, and creating a safe place for them to rest, just as a shepherd would do for the flock of sheep which he tended.
Throughout the Gospels we see examples of Jesus stepping away from the crowd to spend time praying alone and commune with God. It is in these true moments of rest throughout the day-to-day course of our lives that lies the foundation for deep rest at night. Let’s explore how the Good Shepherd encouraged rest in three unique ways throughout Scripture:
Readying—before a significant event:
“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.”—Luke 6:12-13 (NIV)
The twelve disciples were the men who had the closest relationship to Jesus during His years of public ministry on Earth. Choosing these men had a profound impact on what those years would look like. Before Jesus chose these men, He spent the night alone communing with God.
Before a major event or experience, instead of lying awake at night worrying, what would it look like for you to ready yourself by spending time alone with the Lord during the day?
Renewal—after a busy day:
“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.”—Mark 6:30-32 (NIV)
In the most simple pursuit of rest, Jesus deliberately steps away from people after a busy day of ministry to spend time pray alone, and He taught His disciples to do the same.
After you’ve had a busy day, or even a busy season of life or ministry, follow Jesus’ example to retreat to a quiet place for rest and renewal.
Restoration—when mourning or grieving:
Matthew 14:12-13, “John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place” (NIV).
John the Baptist was not only a close friend of Jesus, but a relative as well. After the news that John had been murdered, Jesus had one response: to retreat to a private place to mourn the loss of His friend.
Whether you’re mourning the loss of something or someone, or just in need of restoration from the Lord, withdrawing from the busyness around you can transform your day and lead you to true rest in the evening.
Listen to a short segmen of this sleep story from Abide based on Joel 2:25 about God’s restoration.
Take a moment to consider how the Good Shepherd might be inviting you to rest. What are you most in need of today— renewal, readying, or restoration? What would it look like for you to spend time engaging with Him today?
Jesus invites you to a life of rest by pursuing renewal, restoration, and readying through your daily time with God. Praying alone can be a sweet addition to that time. May it lay the foundation for you to rest well tonight, in the Shepherd’s slumber.
Getting better sleep helps you have better mental clarity, more energy, and a brighter outlook on life. Meditating on God’s Word as you fall asleep can help you achieve that goal. Abide sleep stories have brought better sleep to thousands of people around the world. Download the app now and save 25% off a premium subscription. Start experiencing better sleep with God’s Word.
Gwen lives in Atlanta, Ga., with her husband, Paul. She loves black coffee, a good novel and is always looking for a new skill to try or adventure to take.
