The Nature of Rest - by Eryn Lynum (Paperback)

About the Book

"In today's fast-paced society, rest is often viewed as a weakness or hindrance to progress. Yet God designed rest as a gift that enables us to flourish and live abundantly. In the beginning, God spoke into place the skies and seas, birds and trees, fish and insects-and rest. In the garden of Eden, before sin entered the scene, rest was an integral part of God's plan. As he carefully sculpted and earth to make it habitable for his children, he included the gift of rest so that we can thrive in his design. Throughout nature, we observe rhythms of circadian (daily) and circannual (seasonal or yearly) rest that invite us into regular intervals of stopping and delighting in all God is doing. As we step back into creation, where God first introduced Biblical rest and where it still thrives today, we discover that rest infuses our creative energies, energizes our bodies and minds, and grants clarity in an often confusing and chaotic world. Through this 6-week study, readers will redeem misconceptions around rest to view it as the incredible gift and benefit God created it as; gain a wholesome view of Biblical rest while following its narrative throughout Scripture; practice proper methods of hermeneutical Bible study to discover depth in the original language and apply it to their lives; identify God's fingerprints in nature and connect his creation (natural revelation, Romans 1:20) to his inspired word (special revelation, the Scriptures); develop a deeper understanding of Sabbath and the many ways it can be practiced and enjoyed; gain a new wonderment at God's creativity and intelligence employed throughout his designs; and connect the theme of Biblical rest throughout Scripture by highlighting subthemes of abiding, dwelling, remaining, and waiting"--

Book Synopsis

What can a hummingbird's flight, jellyfish's life cycle, and bee's waggle dance reveal about a restful and flourishing life?

In a world that prizes hustle and constant productivity, breaking the habit of hurry can seem far-fetched, and yet we still try to achieve it with life hacks to get more sleep and increase energy. But self-help strategies are not the solution to our exhaustion problem.

In this six-week Bible study, you'll explore the deep roots of rest found in Scripture and the outdoors while unearthing attainable rest for everyday life. Through nature reflections, scriptural word studies, and guided journaling prompts, you will learn how to

• return to God's original pattern of rest and work
• turn seasons of waiting into restful growth
• experience daily rest through selah pauses
• practice Sabbath in a way that fits your lifestyle
• live every day in God's restful presence

God's promise of rest offers a path out of hurry and exhaustion and into a life of peace and purpose. This is an invitation to live fully alive. Will you take it?

"A welcome invitation to draw close to the one who created us and still cares for us."
--Holley Gerth, best-selling author of 365 Truths for Every Woman's Heart

Review Quotes

The Nature of Rest gives insight into our need to be intentionally unproductive. In a world that values accomplishment above all else, Eryn Lynum sheds light on our call from God to rest, reflect, and relate. If you are weary from trying to keep up or catch up, you will find that the antidote for a frantic life is found in a discipline of rest.--Jill Smith, author of Nature Unveiled: 40 Reflections on Experiencing God's Creation (12/4/2024 12:00:00 AM)

Are you like me, where you sometimes (maybe often) feel depleted, hurried, distracted, or restless? If you long for peace and contentment, you need Eryn Lynum's The Nature of Rest. Eryn beckons her reader to harmonize rest and activity to be fully alive. She carefully unpacks the spiritual discipline of rest as seen in Scripture and compares it to the natural rhythms of creation. You will discover how to embrace and apply each principle of rest presented. While reading, I felt the blessing of peace settle over me. This book will bless you too.--Lori Wildenberg, speaker, parent coach, and author of The Messy Life of Parenting (12/4/2024 12:00:00 AM)

As a child, many of the moments I felt closest to God happened through nature. As hurried, weary grown-ups, we can still look to creation for reminders of who God is, who we are, and how much we're loved. The Nature of Rest is a welcome invitation to draw close to the one who created us and who still cares for us.--Holley Gerth, best-selling author of 365 Truths for Every Woman's Heart (12/4/2024 12:00:00 AM)

As I understand it, Sabbath keeping isn't a condition of getting into heaven; it's just the condition heaven is in. In The Nature of Rest, Eryn Lynum clearly articulates the biblical case for two of the Lord's greatest gifts--the wonders of creation and His invitation to Sabbath rest. The Nature of Rest is a life-changing read for anyone seeking abiding peace in today's chaotic world.--Matthew Sleeth, MD, executive director of Blessed Earth and author of 24/6 (12/4/2024 12:00:00 AM)

Eryn Lynum is uniquely positioned to write on the power of rest. Diagnosed with a rare condition as a teenager, Eryn literally had to learn how to rest to stay alive. Eryn has studied what the Scriptures and the natural world teach about rest. Her compelling and beautiful book will help you shift from hurry and worry to rest and quiet.--Arlene Pellicane, author of Parents Rising and host of The Happy Home Podcast (12/4/2024 12:00:00 AM)

For many of us, rest seems elusive. The demands and expectations on our lives seem endless, and yet God calls us to rest. He commands us to rest (Exodus 16:26). So how do we find it? In The Nature of Rest, Eryn Lynum invites us to look carefully into God's Word and what He has to say about rest. Not only does Eryn share biblical principles of why we can and should rest, she gently walks us through establishing rhythms and disciplines that can lead us to a life of vitality and deeper trust in God.--Durenda Wilson, author of The Unhurried Homeschooler (12/4/2024 12:00:00 AM)

I found The Nature of Rest a refreshing study and sensed calmness from the opening pages. Through this study, Eryn shows the biblical meaning of rest and helps us discover rest as a necessity without feeling guilty. Rest is not a bad word but an essential action. I appreciate how she relates God's creation to our everyday existence and shows us how rest not only brings life to our dry bones, but brings abundant life. Thank you, Eryn, for giving us the liberty to reestablish rest as an important part of our day.--Jessie Seneca, author, speaker, and founder of More of Him Ministries (12/4/2024 12:00:00 AM)

In The Nature of Rest, author Eryn Lynum does a masterful job of combining her love for God's written word with her love for God's created world in a way that invites us all to renounce our life-threatening addiction to busyness and enter more fully into our Lord's 'unforced rhythms of grace.' Drink deeply, my friends. You won't be disappointed.--David O. Williams, DMin, author of Rhythms of Grace: Life-Saving Disciplines for Spiritual Leaders (12/4/2024 12:00:00 AM)

In The Nature of Rest, Eryn gives us practical tools for reordering and reenergizing our lives. This book does more than just inspire. It goes beyond just adding rest as another item on our to-do lists and does not just hand out unattainable goals that work only for a select few. Instead, Eryn walks us through how to realistically align our lives with God's gift of rest and, in doing so, accomplish more effectively the goals and visions He has given us. I am fully confident that anyone seeking to find God and His rest will find both in the pages of this book.--Emily Assel, best-selling author of the Generation Claimed series (12/4/2024 12:00:00 AM)

In our busy lives, where stress and overwhelm are all too common, Lynum's book is a beacon of hope. It's enlightening to realize that our struggle with rest is often rooted in unbelief. This book underscores the importance of rest and provides practical, actionable guidance on how to rest effectively. Lynum's wealth of insightful ideas, woven with biblical wisdom and the divine design of creation, make this a must-read for every family!--Lee Ann Mancini, author of Raising Kids to Follow Christ (12/4/2024 12:00:00 AM)