Rest

To overcome stress, enjoy a day off!

Jesus suggested, "Let's get away from the crowds for a while and rest." For so many people were coming and going that they scarcely had time to eat.
— Mark 6:31 (TLB)

God modeled rest for us at creation. He created the world in six days, then He rested on the seventh. Why? Was He tired? No! He simply wanted to teach us the importance of being refreshed by resting. If it's good enough for God, it's good enough for you and me!

Unfortunately, Sunday is not a day of rest for most of God's ministers. We are Sabbath breakers! (Today, we call them workaholics.)

It is interesting that in Psalm 23:2, the shepherd David writes, "He makes me lie down in green pastures." Have you ever had to make your children lie down? They get so wound up that you have to force them to rest. Yet we never make ourselves take a rest as an example to them.

Although you may take a regular day off during the week, you still feel required to tend the flock during that time. Sheep get sick on your day off. Lambs are born on your day off. Your family, friends, or an acquaintance you met only last week may hit a crisis and call for your counsel and prayer.

If you are burning the candle at both ends, you're not as bright as you think you are! Quit playing "Super-Minister" and delegate. Let a staff member or lay leader handle things on your day off. If we don't "come apart" as Jesus and His disciples did, eventually we will come apart!

Taken from The Minister's Little Devotional Book.
Copyright © 1997 by H.B. London Jr. and Stan Toler.
Used by permission of RiverOak Publishing, Tulsa, Okla.
All rights reserved.