Rest

Ecclesiastes 2:21 & 23:

“For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it… All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.”

The same Bible that instructs us to be diligent like the ants also gives us the above wisdom from Ecclesiastes. Let’s remake a well-known children’s story to understand the context.

There was a Mr. Self-seeking who went on a hike and accidentally goes off trail, and gets stranded in the mountains. Not knowing what to do or where to go, and to his relief, he discovers that someone has left a trail of Ferrero Rochers with a sign that says, “Follow this to get to safety.” With not many options left, Mr. Self-seeking starts collecting them and starts following the trail, hoping to get to the parking lot. Fortunately, it wasn’t a prank, and he did reach his car.

But now Mr. Self-seeking notices that the trail extends even further with more chocolates, and puts on a vile greedy smile as his inner desire takes over. An unsatisfied mind decides to go down the glittery path of Ferreros for hours just to have more. Congratulations, Mr. Self-seeking, you’re lost again, and you may have welcome diabetes with open hands.

In this context, if you think that you’d have been more careful than Mr. Self-seeking on the material hunt you miss the point, genius. The lesson here is finding balance. Knowing when and where to stop is wisdom. Leaning on your own ways, my friend, will lead to a place where you don’t want to be.

Isaiah 30:15 says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation.” Resting rightly is a sign that you’re on the path of moksha. And Fortunately, there is a way to achieve rest (Yeah rest is an achievement).

Lord Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul.”

Rest my friend, Rest.