Less is more?

Less has to be more these days.

LESS sleep = getting MORE work done

Simple equation, but that’s the only constant in my life...at present.

Sometimes, I wish I could just freeze the moment and savour every second doing nothing. I am physically and mentally drained. Maybe another cup of coffee will keep me going…

No…still not good enough. And I try hard not to loose my smile when the bathroom mirror routinely greets me with two sleepy ‘panda eyes’ every morning, without fail.

I have been feeling very stagnant and overwhelmed lately. There are so many things I want to do, yet so many things I have not done, so many things I want to blog about, yet I am bogged down with countless daily errands, responsibilities, commitments, challenges and unpredicted events.

Coping with demanding pressure at work, living up to other’s expectations, juggling between priorities, struggling with flesh, petty needs of control & anger, disharmony be it in the family, in the church, in the workplace, unintentionally hurting others and getting hurt in return, PMS, mood swings, etc.

I am certain I am not alone dealing with these mundane struggles. Being overwhelmed by the whole episode, I allow my worries and frustrations get the better of me. I broke down and cried out to God. I can’t go on like this, I truly need a ‘rest’…

And how do we define ‘rest’?

Many may perceive ‘rest’ as something like being sprawled on a recliner in front of a TV set.

Or we might see ourselves on a beach, sipping our favourite juice while enjoying the fresh ocean breeze and beautiful sunsets.


For some, ‘rest’ is defined as being in the arms of our loved ones.

Now, are these how you define ‘rest’? A state of inactivity or simply a state of motionlessness?

Frankly, those were my interpretations of ‘rest’ before I knew God.

But all too often our ideas about ‘rest’ are just a flight of fantasy.
Why is it so?
Consider this…
TV often leaves you with a drained and unfulfilled feeling.
The ‘rest’ we obtained from the expensive holiday escapade or being in the arms of the loved ones may leave us feeling more ‘restless’ when we learn that it does not last.

Hate to admit this, but we all live in a restless world. We, as mortals are always building, changing things, working for something or aiming toward a goal. Without doubts, ‘restlessness’ may perfectly define our humanity.

Therefore, we need something more divine, sacred, something that stays the same right from the beginning till the end of mankind.

Clearly, our need to rest is different than what we thought. Our need is to be in Him who gives us rest inside our soul and true ‘rest’ can only be found in the Lord, there is no other way.

When we enter the ‘rest’ of God in Christ, it does not mean we do nothing. There is work involved, but the work is HIS, not ours…

Quoted from the book How to Succeed at Being Yourself by Joyce Meyer.

“Quite often we look at a task and think there is no way we can do what needs to be done. That happens because we look at ourselves when we should be looking at God.”…

“Most of the things that are truly worth doing are never easy — we are not filled with the Spirit of God to do easy things. He fills us with His Spirit so we can do impossible things.”…

Christ’ ‘rest’ is sometimes like the serenity found within the eye of a tornado. The storms of life may rage all around us here on earth, but we are given peace and can even rejoice, because we are with Him and in Him. Whether we are physically exhausted, mentally overtaxed, or emotionally drained, we can find ‘rest’ and the relief we need in Christ.

Lastly, one of my favourite chapters in the book of Psalm:

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake with their surging.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall;

God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The LORD Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see the works of the LORD,

the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,

he burns the shields with fire.

10 "Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth."

11 The LORD Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.