Sacred Stillness: Why Rest is an Act of Faith

Hillary Newcomer
Nov 6, 2025
5 min read

We live in a world that praises the hustle. A constant push to keep, going, as if stopping for just a moment to pause is a sign of weakness.

I asked ChatGPT what hustle culture was. He gave me a pretty elaborate response but in opening he said this:

Hustle culture refers to a mindset or social norm that glorifies constant work, productivity, and ambition—often at the expense of rest, balance, and well-being. It promotes the idea that success comes only through relentless effort, long hours, and “grinding” nonstop.

I lived it. I worked full time, was a full-time student, Mom, girlfriend, budding entrepreneur. I was constantly doing something, like I didn't have enough time in my day, trying to cram 40 hours into my 24 and acting like there were 8 days in my week.

Eventually it caught up to me as it does for anyone.

Hustle culture prioritizes productivity over purpose at the cost of our souls.

In the hustle when do we have time to connect with our maker?

Why is it important to not fall into the trap?

Rest is a command.

8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 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. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.

But he commands it of us because he KNOWS we NEED it.

The God that doesn't tire, rested on the 7th day, not because he needed it but because he knew we would!

Genesis 2:2-3 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.

The bible is full of verses that draw our attention to rest, but what kind of rest?

Is binge-watching your favorite TV show the same as getting the rest that God commands?

No.

God wants us to grow closer to Him during our time of rest.

The story of Mary and Martha draws this picture beautifully.

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” 41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Rest is intentional. It begins with presence, not idleness. Rest is relational. We lean into God to refuel our tanks, before we are running on fumes.

Rest is not lazy; it's a necessary part of life.

Hustle distracts us, instead of helping us to focus on what matters most.

Always running after the next big thing, instead of being content in the moment.

ChatGPT said it so succinctly: Hustle often disguises itself as purpose, but it can quietly pull our hearts away from what truly matters.

It’s possible to do work for Jesus while missing time with Jesus.

Rest is a form of trust.

We have to trust God instead of our own drive to succeed. Instead of our own actions to keep pushing toward the next step.

When we pause intentionally, we are saying I am trusting that

🌟God will provide even if I don't work the overtime 🌟He will provide even if I stop pushing myself as hard to reach my goals.

🌟God will show up and refill my tank so that when I show up, I can show up bigger and better than I would if I had just kept pushing.

🌟He will honor my obedience.

In God’s kingdom, rest isn’t wasted time — it’s worship.

Within the very short verses about Martha and Mary, God does several things, but overall, He reminds us to choose the better thing. To prioritize accordingly.

Martha fell victim to the hustle culture of her time.

Mary chose wisely.

There is only one thing worth being concerned about.

It is being in the presence of God, no matter what is going on around you

Rest in Him.

A Chat GPT Summary:

🌿 Summary

Martha	Mary
Distracted by doing	Devoted to being
Focused on performance	Focused on presence
Worried about many things	Anchored in the one thing
Represents hustle	Represents holy rest

Each of the following verses demonstrates God knows we need to rest, and that we can rest in Him.

From ChatGPT

Biblical themes about slowing down

Theme	Scripture
Rest is holy	Genesis 2:2–3
Stillness reveals God	Psalm 46:10
Jesus practiced solitude	Luke 5:16
True rest is found in Christ	Matthew 11:28–30
Quietness gives strength	Isaiah 30:15
Wisdom requires a slower pace	Psalm 90:12

Psalm 46:10 10 “Be still and know that I am God I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

Luke 5:16 16 But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

Matthew 11:28-30 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Isaiah 30:15 15 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.