Rest

Have you ever wondered why we are so busy? There are times when I look at my calendar and I wonder how will I get everything done? I have to admit, there are times my life is filled with so much activity that I seldom have time to stop, reflect, or adjust. At times, I feel like I am one of those circus acts keeping the plates spinning. I have to keep the plates spinning no matter what! Keeping the plates spinning is not healthy in ministry. We need times of rest. I find it Interesting the first 4 letters of the word restore is REST. I think there is a lesson here for all of us; when we rest we have the opportunity to restore ourselves physically, spiritually and mentally. Rest is more than taking a day off rest is changing your routine and pace so we will be able to continue the race. If we continue the same pace we will become ineffective. I remember a story about the Apostle John and a hunter:

One morning a hunter stumbled over a man seated under a tree and playing with a small tame bird. “Why, you’re the apostle John,” exclaimed the hunter. “I’m surprised that an important and dedicated man like you would be out wasting your time.”

John looked up at the tall stranger and asked, “Why have you left that bow dangling on your shoulder?”\

“Well, don’t you know?” replied the hunter. “If I kept it continually pulled tight, it would lose its spring and become ineffective.” John chuckled and said, “That’s the reason I play with this bird.”

Now I am not sure how factual is this story, but the principle is true, we cannot afford to continually working at the same pace all the time, if we do we will eventually become ineffective.

Tomorrow is my day off and it is already a full day filled with the "honey do's". I will check them off my list, but I will also take time to rest because I am learning the value of rest, for in my rest, I will be RESTored.