Rest.

“When day are you taking off this week? You must take a day off”

Not really the kind of text I was expecting to get from my new boss.  

You would think no one has to check up on me to see if I'm taking a day off. I mean, come on, who doesn't want a day off? Everyone wants one.

So why don't I take one? Why isn't it a priority?

I don't know. What answer do you wanna hear? Ok, fine, I'll give you both. 

First, the spiritual answer that I tell myself. 

I'm busy. There's so much to do. Gotta pastor, dream, speak, write, lead, mow, paint, parent and ‘husband’. I’m constantly busy. And its only gonna get busier. More work coming and baby on the way. Phew!  

Alright, enough of that Bologna. Here's the truth. 

I got some pride issues. Seriously. I must be drinking my own Kool-aid a little too much cause why else would I think I couldn't afford to take a day off? 

First, I'm very lucky to do what I do for a living. Very lucky. Secondly, if i stopped doing any of those things, the world would *gasp* keep going. 

The earth wouldn't spin off its axis cause I (or you) took a break. 

I think that's a big reason why God was so adamant on rest in the bible. Other than the fact that we physically need to slow down, I think he wanted to remind us that we're not as important as we think we are. 

If you stopped doing "your thing" for a season, the universe would implode? 

No. 

It'll be fine. Yes God uses our work but If I stopped pastoring, speaking or writing for a day, pretty sure we'd all be fine. 

If you left your kids for a night and went on a date with your spouse or you didn't study for one night or didn't frantically clean your house for a weekend or you took some time off work just to sleep in e.t.c EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE. 

Mom, your kids won't die cause you went out to dinner with the girls.
Dads, your family is not doomed to financial turmoil cause you chilled for a day.

See, rest not just about meeting a physical need, its about trusting God. Its a reminder that we’re not defenders of the universe.

God is. 

Over and over in the bible God asks us to rest. Actually, he doesn't ask, He commands it then modeled it. 

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" (Luke 5:16)

If you're like me, resting makes you feel guilty. I think a great antidote for this is remembering that Jesus didn't feel guilty for leaving ministry to rest and refocus. Think about it. 

How many people NEEDED Jesus? Thousands more than would ever need you and I. 

There was always someone to be healed, delivered, prayed for, set free and pastored. Always. Yet Jesus didn't feel bad leaving. 

He *often* withdrew from the crowds to pray, eat a meal with his friends or take a nap. 

Also, remember what happened on day 7 of creation? 

God rested. 

So yea, take a break. Rest. It's really okay.

This isn't a justification for us to be lazy (sorry lazy bum who isn't do anything with your life). Following Jesus is really hard work but like a preacher once said...

"Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap" 

Do you have a consistent rhythm for rest? What do you need rest from? What do you feel most guilty resting from? Do you, like me, have to tell your boss to make you take a day off?

Lots of dialogue. Let's go. You can start with any or all of the above questions or this one.

Is it hard for you to rest?