Rooted & Reaching Ministries 
Horses are some of the most majestic and hardworking creatures God created. They are strong, intelligent, and incredibly willing. Anyone who’s been around them knows that horses don’t hold back—they give their all. Whether pulling, running, or training, a horse will work until it drops, especially if its rider asks. It’s one of the reasons they need such intentional care.
Those who manage horses know how much time and effort it takes to keep them well. Horses are groomed and brushed daily, often twice a day. Their coats are washed to keep their skin healthy. Hooves are cleaned and checked for damage. They’re fed a well-balanced diet, given clean water, and their stalls are mucked out regularly. This care isn’t optional—it’s vital to keep these animals thriving and able to serve.
But here’s the truth: even with all that care, a horse must be given rest. Left to its own work ethic, a horse will go beyond its limits and suffer. This truth mirrors a principle that God repeatedly teaches us in Scripture—rest is not weakness; rest is obedience.
God designed human beings, like horses, to labor with strength and purpose—but not without stopping. Even God Himself modeled rest. Genesis 2:2-3 says:
“By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy…”
Rest isn’t just for our physical bodies. It’s for our souls. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites us:
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
When we rest, we realign ourselves with our Creator. We are reminded that our worth is not in our work, but in who we belong to. Just like horses need care to continue running well, we need soul-deep rest to walk in purpose.
Even in ministry and serving others, rest is essential. In Mark 6:31, Jesus tells His disciples:
“Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”
For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
We live in a world that praises constant hustle. But horses remind us that nonstop movement without rest leads to breakdown. If even animals must pause to be sustained, how much more do we, created in the image of God?
So today, whether you’re leading, parenting, ministering, or just trying to keep up—remember to stop. Rest. Allow God to wash over you, like the groomer does the horse. Let Him brush away the dirt of the day, the weight of striving. Let Him renew your strength.
After all, even warriors need Sabbath.
And even the strongest horses need time in the pasture.