Made to Rest
In Made to Rest, Aimee Joseph shows where to find true peace in a world that never stops. This book guides readers to Christ—the cure for our restlessness.
Assurance and Peace
In Chapter 1, Joseph shares how this book is personal, explaining her failed attempts to find rest through striving for complete control. She shows how assurance and peace are tied to the character and sovereignty of God.
I was most moved by Chapter 2, where Joseph explores God’s rightful jealousy when we seek satisfaction in idols—Amazon packages, vacation plans, and new shoes. I was reminded that our deepest and most enduring pleasure must be rooted in God and enjoyed through his people.
Union and Freedom
The book is also challenging. Joseph addresses pain, explaining that “the only way out of the pain his providence allows is through it with his presence and promises.” Our union with Christ means that although we live in a broken world, our lives and our rest remain hidden and secure with him. He also gives us freedom from having to prove ourselves, inviting us instead to rest in his righteousness.
I was particularly interested in how Joseph connects rest with repentance and Sabbath-keeping. This was especially convicting because I can sometimes frame “resting in God” as a strictly theological endeavor. In fact, God invites us to rest. Sunday mornings are not wasted time when they are spent resting with God and his people.
Appreciation and Confidence
Toward the end of the book, Joseph teaches that rhythms of rest provide the long-term resilience needed to make it all the way home to our Redeemer. Daily liturgies, breath prayers, and keeping pace with the Spirit are practical ways to incorporate rest into the workweek.
With biblical support throughout, this short yet powerful book is paradigm-shifting. As a parent of young children, keeping busy with work, and the demands of ministry, I came away refreshed. You will discover a deeper appreciation for God’s design for rest and the confidence that resting in him is not only necessary, but good.
I received a media copy of Made to Rest (Amazon) and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.