Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat. Mark 6:31 (MSG)

We've all heard the saying, "Silence is golden." There's a reason. Hidden in that age-old saying is scriptural truth modeled to us by Jesus. That, is the discipline of silence. Typically we think of this saying in terms of holding our tongues. There is also wisdom to creating silence around us. Quieting the chatter and just resting in the silence. Learning to include silent rest in your life is not an option. Your body needs physical rest to recoup. Likewise, spiritual rest is vital to prevent fatigue and burnout. Ours is not a culture particularly keen on silence or rest. Soaking in silence is more challenging than ever. We are surrounded by noise constantly. And, the need to rest has almost become seen as a weakness. We push and push until we have nothing left to burn. Rest goes beyond merely not moving your body. True rest requires stilling and silencing your mind and spirit. It’s coming into the Lord’s presence and allowing Him to gently hush you and whisper, “Shhhh, be still and know that I am God.” Learning the art of stillness almost takes more discipline than endurance, but it’s the counterpart to perseverance and simply cannot be overlooked. Do you struggle to rest? Do you tend to push yourself to the point of exhaustion physically and spiritually? Do you view rest as luxury versus necessity? How can you build moments of rest and stillness into your day today? Will you invite Jesus to restore and refresh you? You will find rest for your weary soul in the silent presence of the Lord when you seek Him. May silence, solitude, and solace lead the way today.