Sharing Life and Christ

I have been in a lengthy and evolving conversation with two good friends over the definition of rest and how I might enjoy it by faith.  For most of my life, I have equated rest with passivity.  I “unplug” or “check out” in order to distance myself from having to think of anything or anyone other than myself.  I can make tight and compelling arguments as an introvert for the need for solitude or alone time.  I can accurately assess the frazzled ends of my emotional ropes and conclude the best course of action to be to disengage the mind and body from the world for a long enough stretch to feel rejuvenated.  Only when I have had enough time to unwind can I then reenter the fray and give of my time and energy once again.   Now, obviously there is a need for physical rest.  We are finite creatures who will die without sleep and nourishment.  We are emotionally frail and cannot exist in a constant flurry of feeding the homeless and saving the w...