Let Your Rest Be Worship

Summertime has a way of making many of us feel like we should be doing more. The longer days and added flexibility whisper, “Make the most of this.” For others, summer offers permission to slow down—relaxed mornings, no school runs, half-day Fridays at work. But whether you’re speeding up or slowing down, we often miss the deeper rest our souls need—the kind that sustains our calling in Christ.

Rest is more than just a nap at the beach or a quiet afternoon in the sunroom; it’s a sacred invitation to trust the Lord. Rest can feel difficult, especially when it seems like everything—and everyone—depends on us. We feel the pressure to keep going, striving, and pushing—or else.’ But true rest is a declaration of faith: acknowledging that God is in control and we are not. He is the one who holds all things together. 

Rest humbles us and reminds us of our limits—that we were never meant to do it all. When the Holy Spirit reveals it's time to slow down and be still, rest becomes an act of obedience. It's trusting the outcomes to the Lord, believing that after we've done what we can, He will do what we cannot. That’s why real rest isn’t just physical; it’s spiritual. It’s trust in action.

And yet, everything around us pushes against that. We live in a culture that wears busyness like a badge of honor. But Jesus calls us to something better. He invites us to be with Him, not just “do” for Him. He calls us to steward our bodies—not by burning out in service, but by embracing His grace and rhythms.

Romans 12:1 echoes that call: “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Often, we think of worship as doing. But your rest can also be worship. It’s a tangible way to say, God, I trust You. When we rest, we make space to be renewed—physically, mentally, spiritually. And when we rest, we are better equipped to love, serve, and carry out the good works God has called us to.

Jesus modeled this for us. He stepped away to pray, to be with the Father, to rest. Jesus, who literally carried the weight of the world, knew the importance of stepping away. It is in Him that we find true, internal rest and freedom from overwork and overwhelm (Matthew 11:28). 

The Apostle Paul reminds us: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Our bodies aren’t machines for endless output—they are temples. They require care, margin, and rest.

So this summer, don’t just fill your schedule—fill your soul. Let rest be the way you offer your body to God. Not from a place of passivity, but as an act of faith. A living sacrifice. Holy. Pleasing. Set Apart. 

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Author: Tieler Giles is an author, coach, and communications leader on a mission to help people live well and do good. For nearly 20 years, she’s helped organizations clarify who they are, what they do, and why it matters. Tieler believes that properly defining your identity and purpose isn’t just for institutions—it’s vital for the Christian life. In her debut book, How to Ditch the How-To, she supports change-seekers on their journey to becoming who God has called them to be. Tieler is convinced that the gospel of Jesus is the best news ever, with the power to transform lives, culture, and the world around us. She currently lives in Charlotte, NC.  You can connect with her at tielergiles.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tielergiles/ https://www.instagram.com/tielergiles/