I enjoy work! Laugh loud; I know it is hard to believe of someone in Generation Z. It is true, though; I like to have an occupation, something to direct my focus on. It can be a good book, a spreadsheet full of numbers, or a hole to be dug; I simply like to be doing. In the ministry field, there is more than enough to do, and all too often one looks up just long enough to see that they have been sucked into the whirlpool of doing.
As much as I enjoy doing and admire the veracity that I see in others as they work for the Kingdom I can’t help but notice the lack of rest. But what does rest look like in a world that never stops? In a world that desperately needs Christ?
I'm learning that we cannot rest in our understanding of the world. We can not live at this grinding pace without a distinct stop; otherwise, along with wiping out the to-do list, we will wipe out ourselves. I wish I had a clear answer for myself and all of you, but this is what I'm learning, and maybe it can help us both.
- If you can’t have a whole day Sabbath, find ways to have micro Sabbaths. Like Jesus, sometimes there is no time to get away from Ministry during the day. But that doesn’t mean skipping the rest altogether. Find at least 30 minutes here or 30 minutes there each day to sit with the Lord in solitude. Pray, listen, and trust that in being before the Lord, he will multiply your rest.
- Start to say no. Just because 'it' is a good thing to do does not mean 'it' is something that God has asked you to do… So many of us, myself most especially, will see a need and jump to fill it before asking if God wants us to fill it. In doing this, we not only tire ourselves with extra work, but we may be stealing a blessing from someone else because we haven’t allowed them to be obedient. I’ll admit this is hard because it often means someone goes without but obedience is better than the works of man. By doing this we create more time to rest in what God has called us to.
- Take a retreat. Im not talking about a vacation, and im not talking about a weekend of seminars. The point is to stop and be intentional about your relationship with Christ; in some ways, it's a date. You should be with Him every day, but there should also be dedicated alone time with Him. So when I say take a retreat, I mean select a day a quarter, at least, to do nothing but spend time with the Lord. This could be staying in your room all day in solitude or going to an art museum to appreciate God’s gifts to man. Retreat could be an extensive Bible course or going for a hike in God’s good creation. Retreat could also be journaling or a day of fasting. Retreat is different for everyone but is necessary for everyone!
In all of this, the point is that God is more than worthy of our time and attention. So, while He has called us to do good work, He also desires that we be still and alone with Him. So schedule your next date with Jesus today!