Where is a writer to find rest? I think many of us struggle with this question. Writing is hard to balance. How much will I read fiction, or nonfiction about the craft? How much do I journal, blog, or work on my stories? The nature of writing is naturally a cathartic one, but in the end it is just another thing I will check off my to-do list. And though I do find my mood improves when I write, can it be considered true, life giving rest?
I do believe that rest comes in many forms. It looks different for many people. Ultimately, however, there is one denominator that we cannot forget: God is the only one who can give us rest. Hebrews 4 speaks of a Sabbath rest which, if God’s people enter, show they are obeying Him. But I think there’s a key verse in there. Hebrews 4:8, “For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on.”
Okay, I know that at first this looks like one of those verses that we can’t understand this side of heaven. But it strongly reminded me of a George Herbert poem.
George Herbert was a 17th century pastor and poet. His poetry is famed as some of the best Christian poetry, shepherding its readers toward a deeper understanding of God and the believer’s life. I have copied “The Pulley,” one of his poems, below.
When God at first made man,
Having a glass of blessings standing by,
“Let us,” said he, “pour on him all we can.
Let the world’s riches, which dispersèd lie,
Contract into a span.”
So strength first made a way;
Then beauty flowed, then wisdom, honour, pleasure.
When almost all was out, God made a stay,
Perceiving that, alone of all his treasure,
Rest in the bottom lay.
“For if I should,” said he,
“Bestow this jewel also on my creature,
He would adore my gifts instead of me,
And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature;
So both should losers be.
“Yet let him keep the rest,
But keep them with repining restlessness;
Let him be rich and weary, that at least,
If goodness lead him not, yet weariness
May toss him to my breast.”
For those of you unused to reading 17th century poetry, let me explain. The gist of the poem is that when God created man, he had a large pitcher of blessings that he poured upon man. This included beauty, wisdom, honor, and pleasure. But God chose to withhold rest because that would drive His people to Him in an effort to find it.
With that, let’s revisit Hebrews 4. “For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his” (Hebrews 4:8-10). So, if Joshua had been able to give the people rest, they wouldn’t have had to go to God for rest. The Sabbath is there for us to rest in God. For us to put Him first. And until that day when our souls know ultimate rest in heaven, we just have to keep Sabbathing, both on Sunday and every other day.
So the answer to my question? I can’t find rest in writing. Yes, it soothes, but writing isn’t usually a meeting with Jesus. A meeting with Jesus is time in the Word and in prayer and worship. Only through these devices can our souls truly find comfort in the arms of God.
Image credits: WallpaperCave
Thank you so much for this post Ella! This is exactly what I needed to hear today!
Aww, I’m so glad you liked it!
What a precious reminder. I’m going to have to think about that for a while!! 💭🧎🏻♀️
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This is beautiful, Ella Rose. I am looking forward to the day I receive my ultimate rest in Him. We love you!
Love you back!
Amen, Ella Rose!! Such such a true reminder that only the Lord can provide us rest. I had never read “The Pulley” before, but I loved it! I’m going to have to look up more of George Herbert’s work for sure.
It’s definitely worth it! I hope you enjoy!