Work, rest, recharge

Let's picture a forest: trees and undergrowth and birds. Two men walk into this forest, harvesting wood for things like paper and log homes and those little blocks with the ABCs on them. To make time pass quicker, the younger one challenges the older one to see who can chop down the most trees. The older man takes a break every hour to drink water, kick his feet up and sharpen his axe. The younger one powers through, thinking he'll come out on top. But at the end of the day, the older man chopped down forty trees, the younger guy only twenty-five. Why? The younger one never took a break, he exhausted himself and his axe got dull because he never sharpened it.

If we want to succeed and do our best for God, we need to rest. That's not us failing or being weak; that's how he planned it. Ever heard of the 'Sabbath'? Jesus himself said, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest' (Mark 6:31 NIV). Regularly, throughout the Gospels, Jesus went off to recharge his spiritual (and mental) batteries. He knew it was important to go to a quiet place and spend time with God.

If we don't rest, not only will we get worn out, but we'll also only do half as much as we could if we had.



So what now? If you haven't taken time to rest today, find a quiet place and get some soul-strengthening rest.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.' Mark 6:31 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

Lam 3:40-5:22, Matt 14:1-12, Ps 82, Pro 14:5-8