The Radical Pursuit of Rest

Wow - made me rethink life as usual in American culture.

What does God mean when he calls us to a life of rest? This exploration of how spiritual rest is lived out is both startling and challenging.

"The Radical Pursuit of Rest" is about pursuing the physical and spiritual rest that's a gift from God. The author looked at Scripture's description of rest and contrasted it to the busyness and restlessness that our culture promotes. He showed how rest is a gift from but also a surrender to God as we must trust that our worth and safety does not depend upon our efforts.

The author discussed the Sabbath, Lord's Day, and worship as well as sloth, selfish ambition, and the fear of the unknowns in our future and in death. The book included questions at the end of each chapter and at the end of the book for individual or group study. Overall, the author was easy to understand. I did pause on occasion to think over what he'd said, but it was not due to confusion or lack of clarity. I'd highly recommend this thought-provoking book.

Why do you rest? You rest so that you can recover your strength after working. You rest so that you can have sufficient strength to start your work. And that's the problem John Koessler addresses in The Radical Pursuit of Rest.

These reasons stated above for resting are deceitful and dangerous. Deceitful because they make work the center of life. Dangerous because they force us into the celebrated productivity idolatry. Resting to work and resting for work is not God's plan for us, argues John Koessler.

Koessler warns, "Our attitude toward the Sabbath , however, is a huge neon sign that advertises how deeply committed we are to the commandments of advanced consumer capitalism." Your views in rest and work reveal how you view God and what you value the most in life - God or Mammon?

"Work is more than a distraction. It is more than an addiction. Work has become a religion," And he adds, "In a world where a person’s worth is measured by usefulness, all things are subordinated to work." But it's not supposed to be like that. The Radical Pursuit of Rest will show you how to return glory to God through resting in him.

The purpose of resting is not that you can work better. Rest is not a means to an end, but the end itself. However, you can fall prey to false rest. When you're lazy and a sloth that's not resting. It's called sinning. Koessler reminds us, "Sloth leaches away the opportunities we have to commune with God, offering its own companionship as an anemic substitute."

As I write my dissertation and prepare for my final defense amidst doubts and fears, The Radical Pursuit of Rest has been very helpful to me. The academic field has destructive mantras like "publish or perish" that half the time sends young researchers in to dangerous spirals of depression. Grad life is all about proving to your graduate supervisor and peers you're smart through publications. Sadly, a University of California Berkeley study showed that roughly 50% graduate students have depression or anxiety problems.

I never had a problem with selfish ambitions, pride and envy or embraced spiritual capitalism until I spent a year as a grad student in the US. By being constantly compared to my peers, I was forced to view them as competition and not as friends. Their achievements changed from being praiseworthy to objects of envy. My achievements became trophies for my pride. Koessler offered the best detox I needed through the observation:

Because we have been taught to relate to the world around us as individualistic consumers, we tend to view personal relationships and the larger community around us as existing for our sake and as replaceable. Everyone and everything becomes a commodity. When this mentality is absorbed by the church, it produces an unhealthy amalgam of spiritual narcissism mixed with religious capitalism.

He adds, "If the primary aim of our ambition is to be noticed , we ought to recall that we live within sight of the one who sees the sparrow fall to the ground." You can change your views on rest by reminding yourself that you live in the presence of God and worship Him accordingly. "Worship is not a feast we lay out for God," Koessler observes, "It is the table on which God spreads his feast for us."

Isn't that wonderful?

Technology is good, it's supposed to help you become more productive. That's good. And that's the problem. Koessler asks 5 questions you should take time to reflect on:

1. How has technology helped your spiritual life?
2. Where has it been a hindrance? 3. Are some areas more affected than others? 4. If so, which areas have been affected most? 5. Why do you think this is?

I am now off to right my dissertation. And I hope everyone who have been deceived by the lies of productivity gets this book. Like I said, The Radical Pursuit of Rest is the best prescription I can recommend anyone who has made productivity their god. I am so glad Moody Press gave me a digital advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Go and rest well!

We need to rest. This books help us to understand what thats means. Really necessary at this time filled with anxiety and much activism. You will love this book...and you will rest.

In my work one of the central self sabotages that I run into is a plethora of misconceptions on what rest looks like and how we find it. With so many misconceptions it's no wonder that people in ministry so often reach a place of burn out. Koessler's book adds a beautiful and resonant voice to the conversion surrounding the Biblical idea of rest.

As this is a core concept that I engage with (both in my own life and as a Spiritual Director) I have read just about every book that I have come across on the subject and I honestly wondered if The Radical Pursuit of Rest would bring any new insights to the table. It went above and beyond my expectations! Specifically I deeply appreciated the discussions about rest as a place and the unraveling of the Biblical idea of sloth.

This book has joined my short list of recommendations on the subject alongside Buchanan's The Rest of God (which is also wonderful, but has a slightly different focus and a greater emphasis on practical application).

I highly recommend this book.

I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to provide a positive review.