The last word I want us to take time with is rest. Last week we talked about rest as experiencing God’s presence, goodness, and trusting in our Creator-King. We do this by setting time apart with a new rhythm of stopping and delighting. It’s more than just a day, it’s a mindset.

The first rest piece I want us to look at is a tease into our next section of Genesis 2.
Genesis 2:7- 7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

I’m not going to unpack this all today, but I do believe an initiation of rest, starts with breath, because God breathed into us the breath of life.

Think about that for a moment. When we are willing to slow down enough, focus on our breathing, rest in God’s breath for us, what that can mean for our mind and heart.

This is way more than mindfulness or Buddhist or Hindu practices or even mystic practices. Breath, breathing, centering our breath on God is a creative practice that brings rest.

Because it allows us to then center our minds on Christ, center our minds on things above. Notice Colossians 3:1-2- Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

That is a practice of resting, what is filling your mind, your heart, slowing down to center them upon things above, above the fray, above the noise, on God “above” allows the Spirit to bring us rest in our mind and heart.

Today, can you practice breath? Breath prayers? Breathing in truth, breathing out lies. Breathing in hope, breathing out despair.

Also, how can you center your mind and your heart on Christ, who is above all things? What does that look like for you? Feel like for you? Rest in the confidence of God’s truth.