A lifestyle of ceaseless labour day after day no matter how noble or worthy our cause, is not good for us. God chose to rest setting an example for us that we are designed and created to follow.
Jesus illustrated this model in that He and his disciples often withdrew from people and activity in order to rest and commune with the Father.
“The news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:15-16)
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31 NIV)
Interestingly Jesus withdrew to rest from the demands of the day at the height of his popularity. There were literally thousands and thousands of people crying out for Jesus to heal, teach and bless them. The need and opportunities were great and yet Jesus chose to rest and take time off because He understood that if He was to accomplish His purpose he had to remain spiritually, physically and mentally strong. And that required regular times of prayer, rest and recuperation.
Rest is the invisible part of our time that rebuilds and remakes us every day. Without adequate rest we will suffer and struggle to fulfil those things that God has placed in our hearts to enjoy, experience and accomplish.
Today determine to take more time to rest. Schedule rest and recuperation time in your diary and day and honour that time as just important as the other more visible productive parts of your life.
Prayer: Lord help me to understand the importance of rest and to set aside a regular time to cease from all my activity and labour so that I can recuperate, reflect, relax, and fully rest. In Jesus name Amen.
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