“Woe to the man who is always busy—hurried in a turmoil of engagements, from occupation to occupation, and with no seasons interposed of recollection, contemplation and repose! Such a man must inevitably be gross and vulgar, and hard and indelicate—the sort of man with whom no generous spirit would desire to hold intercourse.”
– William Godwin – English Writer
REPOSE is a state of rest, sleep, or tranquility; composure. As a verb, it means to lie down in rest, to be situated or kept in a particular place. The Latin re (expressing intensive force) + pausere (to pause). It’s interesting that a word that means to rest is associated with force. As someone who, after grueling several months of activity, was forced to take a short vacation when my body said, “One of us is going to stop…and right now!” —I get it. Repose is part of a holy lifestyle. Even God rested from His work in creation on the 7th day. He instituted the Sabbath as a law for Israel, “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work…” (Exodus 20:8-10) When we went to Jerusalem, we saw the entire city shut down. This proves that Sabbath-keeping is choosing to rest each week, not because you’re tired…but because God said so…and you’ve chosen to worship and obey Him.
There is more to repose than physical rest. It is also a state of tranquility and freedom from disturbance. Repose is bringing our souls: our minds, wills, emotions, and choices into calm. This kind of internal serenity is found in close fellowship with Jesus. My favorite hymn is How Firm a Foundation. It is chock full of Scriptural encouragement. The last stanza is a comforting promise from God the Father, “The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to His foes. That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!” Someone needs physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual repose today—I hope you will take a break, rest in Christ, and find yourself completely renewed!
