Not long ago, an intriguing thought came over the radio. The editor was thinking about the present time and its signs. Finally, he stated, “What we have forgotten and what we must quickly learn is the art of resting.” Rest is essential. It is not wasted time but a time to draw strength to improve one’s own personality. Most of us understand and confirm the truth of this statement, but paradoxically, immediately reject rest due to lack of time. However, it is not right to blame the rapidly passing time or the restless time. After all, the sun always rises the same way—a minute always has the same number of seconds. The cause of haste is not in time, but in man.
The first serious reason is work, which can become a drug—it can even cause pathological addiction. In the beginning, there is a certain desire for a better life, behind which greed can sometimes hide. Man burdens himself with various burdens. The more there are, the more new and new needs appear. They consume every free moment. It is very difficult to free oneself from these burdens. The second reason may be an unsatisfied conscience. A person tormented by remorse throws himself into action just to silence the voice within him that accuses him of some guilt. If such a person cannot stop and does not think about his situation, he will never solve his problem.
The third reason may be poor rest. A person who thinks that he will relax by watching television is very wrong. Television programs only distract a person from thinking about themselves. At the same time, they shower him with a huge amount of unnecessary information. In order for a person to analyze it – that is what is needed. And that is so little. Although the reasons are different, they have the same consequences. These consequences include feelings of nervousness, restlessness, and constant fatigue. But the worst thing is that a person becomes numb in spiritual growth. The model of true rest is summarized in God’s commandment. We should celebrate the holiday with rest. But it is a rest that we are to spend with the Lord. Everything else is to be secondary.
This concentration technique in God gives rest. When a person refuses it, he must necessarily look for some substitutes. Psychologists have developed various relaxation techniques and recommend using them in the middle of the working day. Previously, a person did not need any technique, because at lunch, techniques would be silent before God and pray to the Angel of the Lord. techniques necessary. The question is, however, whether it solves anything. To be silent before God means to find the truth about oneself, about one’s own existence. To exist in translation means to come out of oneself. This process involves stepping outside oneself and retracing our steps to our original sources. The river is murky at its mouth, but in the place where it springs, it is clean and clear. Concentration brings us to God. He is the source from which we came out and to which we are heading. With God, our life becomes transparent. We clearly see what is valuable and what is inferior. What is important, and what is priceless? What is necessary, and what can we do without? When we become silent before God, many difficulties will fall from us. Ouroff’s life will also be more peaceful because we will not chase after unimportant things.
In addition, resting in God’s presence enriches and perfects our personality. Silence helps us find the model according to which we were created. This process requires a little patience. God’s light often comes like a neon light. Some time passes between turning it on and turning it off. If we persevere in silence, we will certainly experience a light that will not only illuminate the questions we carry within us but also show us the right solution. A person then walks the path that leads to perfection. Nervousness is replaced by joy, and restlessness is transformed into peace. In today’s Gospel, the Lord calls the disciples to a deserted place to rest. He also calls us. Let us accept his invitation to learn the art of resting in his presence.
