Trustworthy Truth Tellers
The disconcerting fragility of our post-truth world is a big factor keeping many of us from rest and peace. Online life— where much of what you see and read may be AI generated— has accelerated our collective skepticism. Centuries of secular “progress” have dethroned God as the source of absolutes, replacing him with speak- your- truth subjectivity. But this atomization of truth, into eight billion droplets of ephemeral whims and vibes, leaves the human community fragmented and weary.
Solid truth is a fundamental component of the rest people seek. We intuitively know that liberating rest will come only when we enter a refuge built on a solid foundation, with sturdy construction and immovable pillars. Until then we’ll continue meandering as spiritual refugees in search of shelter. But on which path, to which destination, and for what purpose should we journey? The pilgrims of a post- Christian age need guides who know the way.
This is the most important expression of our calling as ambassadors of the king of rest. We are to call out to wayfaring souls, wherever we encounter them in their wandering, and say, “There is a perfect rest that will answer your restlessness. There is a true north that will give your life direction. Resolution to your longings. Truth that will make it all make sense.”
We help people find rest by telling them the truths of Scripture, even the hard truth of repentance. A life of sin and rebellion always leads to restless angst. Only by turning to God in repentance will people find their rest (Isa. 30:15).
Gospel proclamation is the best thing we can do, ultimately, for restless souls. More than anxiety medication, more than a comfortable bed, more than helping them unclutter or reduce hurry in their lives through lifestyle adjustments, they need Jesus himself. “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him” (Ps. 62:1). Augustine captures it well in what some have called one of the greatest sentences ever written: “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in thee.”
This is the truth that sets us free. This is the truth our restless world needs.
What Is The Witness Of Rest?
Above all, the witness of your rest, sleep, and Sabbath points to this: There is a perfectly loving, perfectly sovereign God who perfectly oversees the universe and perfectly secured our salvation through his death and resurrection. True rest comes only as we trust in this God.
Let’s be signposts, prophets, and heralds of the gospel of rest. We can cease striving and receive his salvation by grace. We can cast our cares on Christ (1 Peter 5:7). In him we can rest in the storm. He’s our ark in the flood (Gen. 7:7), our ram in the thicket (Gen. 22:13), our blood- stained doorpost in the night (Ex. 12:13), our dry ground in the sea (Ex. 14:21–23), our bread in life’s hunger (John 6:35), our water in life’s thirst (John 4:13–14). This is news a weary world desperately needs.
We are all like wandering sheep (Isa. 53:6), constantly going astray, constantly vulnerable. We wander aimlessly, often directly into danger. Only the Good Shepherd can lead us into a lacking- nothing place: green pastures, still waters, the right paths, refreshment for our souls (Ps. 23:1–3). We rest in peace only as we rest in him.
Our sleep points to him. Our Sabbath points to him. Our rested Christian lives—as nonanxious, good-sleeping, hospitable, relationally inviting, gospel-proclaiming Jesus people—can point to him.
The God of rest, worthy of worship.
Taken from The Wisdom of Sleep by Brett McCracken. Copyright © 2026 by Brett McCracken. Used by permission of Zondervan. www.harpercollinschristian.com