Over the past six days, we have been through a key cycle in the creative life of a writer: preparing, planting, watering, pruning, harvesting, and celebrating. This is the cycle of growth we go through again and again as we pursue higher levels of growth.

In the Western world, we are used to jumping back in again right after we achieve something. We live in a workaholic culture that says our value is directly tied to our output. If you want to be valuable, you must constantly produce, right?

That’s an unhealthy way to look at life, and it’s also a great way to get burned out. The faith community has long recognized the value of rest. The book of Genesis tells us that God Himself, after working so hard on the six days of creation, took time to rest.

If God saw fit to step back, take a look at His creative work and call it “good,” then take a day of rest, why do we think we don’t need a day of rest also?

It’s important to build a day of rest into your weekly schedule. Not only that, but you must rest each day by getting enough sleep, and dare we say, taking a midday nap. Many of the world’s greatest thinkers and creatives had a regular napping habit.

Rest is not lazy, and rest is not a shortcut. Rest is essential. Sometimes the very best thing you can do for your creativity and productivity is rest. You’re not Superman (or Superwoman) and you’re not God. You need your rest. It just might be the most important thing you do today.