Rethinking My Definition of Rest

I was recently listening to an episode of the Educational Renaissance podcast titled “Desirable Difficulties.” The three educators who host the podcast often discuss how modern research and Charlotte Mason’s methods of education fit in with the classical model of education. They also cover a range of topics relating to education, from accredation to habit training. In this episode, they focus on challenging students in order to help them learn. At one point, they discuss how students’ energy levels wax and wane during a typical class period. I’ve noticed this in both my Music and Chemistry classes; Chemistry moreso because I teach it during the first period of the day to older students. What stood out to me the most from this particular part of the episode, however, was the definition the hosts give for rest. They explain that, as a teacher, one way I can help my students excel is to allow them to rest during the times in class when their energy levels are the lowest.

I define rest as leisure time. For me, that means reading, practicing the ukulele or piano and singing, writing, and coloring or drawing with my kids. I enjoy my leisure time, and find that I need a certain amount of it to process through what’s going on in my life. When it comes to Sabbath rest, I do a lot of the things I mentioned above, but I do them with a special focus on God’s attributes, creation, and providence. I also try to refrain from most of my normal daily work around the house. By this definition, my students’ rest during class might consist of them taking a few minutes to do whatever they’d like.

The hosts of the Educational Renaissance podcast define rest as a change of activity. In a classroom context, this would mean building in times for the students to do a different, perhaps less strenuous, activity after doing something more challenging. So, I might ask the students to take a quiz, read a chapter from a book that relates to the subject of the class, and then write a short narration. This is challenging for me in Chemistry, as the students’ energy levels seem less predictable, but is doable for me in my Music classes. By the end of Music class, I can usually tell that the students are ready to move on to something else. Especially in the Grammar school, I save the most fun and exciting activites for the last ten minutes of class.

All of this discussion about rest has made me wonder if I ought to change my own definition of rest. When I consider what the Bible says about rest, I can see why the hosts of the Educational Renaissance podcast define rest as a change in activity rather than leisure time. God created the world in six days. He made the day and the night, dry land and plants, birds and fish, beasts and creeping things, and then man, in his own image. On the seventh day, he changed what he was doing. Instead of creating, he rested (Genesis 2:1-3). The Bible doesn’t tell us specifically how God rested, but I do think we can deduce, from Scripture passages like Exodus 20, that rest does involve taking a break from our usual activities. Exodus 20:8-10 says,

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.”

Other Scripture passages teach us that its okay to do some form of work on the Sabbath, as long as we have the right posture before God: a humble and teachable heart. In Matthew 12, the disciples gather grain on the Sabbath. In a practical sense they were working, but they were hungry and needed something to eat. When the Pharisees harangue Jesus about the disciples’ behavior, he tells them the story of David from the Old Testament found in 1 Samuel 21. When David fled from Saul, he became hungry and ate the Bread of the Presence at the temple in the city of Nob. This wasn’t lawful for him, but it was permitted under the circumstances. Jesus reminds the Pharisees that God desires mercy, not sacrifice. What we do on the Sabbath comes down to our attitude. What if we defined work not as particular activities, like the Pharisees did, but rather as our daily duties? Then, we could define rest as a break from those daily duties in whatever form we choose while still honoring God.

I find a lot of practical application for this definition of rest. When I’m feeling the strain of a busy day, I like to sit down on the couch and read a book. This is my idea of rest: a break from my usual work in the form of leisure time. If I think of rest as a change in activity, this would alter how I react to feeling tired and overwhelmed. Maybe on busy days, I just need to change activities more often. I could accomplish the same amount of work, but in a different order and at a different pace. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with reading a book you enjoy. But I do think that if I limit my definition of rest to leisure time, I’m missing out on being much more productive, or using my time better, than I am now.

A few years ago, I wrote an article in which I came to the same realization, that I am more productive when I work for shorter periods of time and vary what I’m doing. I didn’t relate that article to rest, but rather to Charlotte Mason’s idea of short lessons (20 minutes or less) rather than long lessons. I think its time I revisit that article, but this time through the lens of rest. I must also remember that God’s grace is sufficient for me and his power is perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Jesus understands my humanity, my need for rest and my inability to practice self-discipline without the help of the Holy Spirit. Only he can redeem my time here on earth. I’m thankful that he continues to teach me how to use my time for his glory, and I look forward to eternity when I will be able to perfectly serve him outside of time itself.