God is always working (John 5:17), but God is also the author and participant in rest.  For example, God rested from His work of creating the world on the seventh day; Jesus called His disciples to come away from ministry so they could “go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile” (Mark 6;31).  Furthermore, He promises rest for those who believe (Hebrews 4:3).

In our passion and zeal for serving God, we’ve created a culture that values working over resting.  Haven’t we all heard the warnings about the “sloth,” the “sluggard,” and people who don’t work hard in Proverbs?  Plus, we have a dozen or more other verses, including Colossians 3:23, 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, John 5:17, Hebrews 13:16, Romans 12:11, 2 Timothy 2:15, Ephesians 4:28, etc.  There’s no question that God doesn’t want us to be lazy.  And yet, God does call us to rest as well as work.  So what is the difference between Godly rest and laziness?

There are a few things we should remember when talking about laziness vs. rest:

1. Culture & natural tendencies.  Some of us – via nurture or nature – are wired to work, all the time.  Others are wired for the opposite (laziness or rest).
2. Times & seasons.  There are times of our lives when God will call us to work and other seasons when God will call us to rest.  Knowing which season you’re in goes a long way to determining whether you’re being lazy or resting.
3. Biological differences.  Some people can work long and hard (that would be me), while others tire more quickly.  It can be easy to judge those who wear out as being “lazy” when in reality they don’t have the same strength or endurance as me.
4. External factors.  Sometimes events outside of our control require us to work or rest more often.  For example, if you’re sick and continue to push work ahead, it might do more damage than if you just took some time off to rest and recover.

At the end of the day, the difference between laziness and rest lies in God’s calling on your life.  Laziness is born in disobedience – a person knows what they should be doing, but they don’t do it (James 1:22).  Rest is born out of living out your “yes” to God and His calling on your life.

Rest is vital to our success.  Laziness will sabotage our success.  Rest is the reward for (or respite during) work.  Laziness is taking your rest before or instead of work.  Rest rejuvenates.  Laziness has no mental, emotional, or physical reward to it.  Rest is an activity that can be enjoyed because you know that you’re actively seeking and living out God’s plan for your life.  Laziness is thoughtless because it is ignoring God’s call on your life – this is why it leads to poverty and foolishness (Proverbs 6:10-11; 26:16)

I could go on, but if you need one takeaway, it’s this: God brings seasons of rest and seasons of work.  Even in seasons of work, He will probably lead you to rest at times.  There is no shame in rest as long as you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and allow yourself to be rejuvenated for the next time God sends you to work.  In fact, these times of rest are vital to keeping you strong for the work that will come in the next season.

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