The older I get, the more I recognize the crucial importance of rest. It’s important – crucial – to take time to rest. You need time to relax, to rejuvenate, and to enjoy with family and friends.
It’s not easy to do this, especially when you are in ministry. And “ministry” doesn’t have to just be ordained ministry. Ministry is basically service. Therefore, I define “ministry” as anyone whose walk of life — or line of work — is devoted significantly (if not primarily or exclusively) to the service of others.
If you’re a stay-at-home parent, you’re in ministry. If you’re a caregiver to an elderly parent, you’re in ministry. If you’re a social worker, therapist, or counselor seeing multiple clients each day, you’re in ministry. And, yes, if you’re a pastor, you’re in ministry.
The above paragraph does not encompass all occupations or situations, but hopefully you get the idea. A person in ministry is a person who gives – and does so often to the point where their own cup is empty.
How do you refill that cup?
By resting.
And “rest” includes spending time with God of course. That really should be at the top of it. Taking the time to STOP and just BE with God. Just BE in His Presence!
We need to rest in the arms of the Lord.
And it also means relaxing and having (fun, no-stress) time with loved ones. (Though certainly sometimes, when you’re with loved ones, you have to serve. But to the extent possible, take time to just ENJOY the company of your loved ones. This is especially the case with your spouse and then of course your kids, parents, siblings, and so forth).
We need rest time.
God set this example right at the beginning when He “rested” on the seventh day of Creation. And the principle of rest was of course woven into the Sabbath. That entire day was for the purpose of worship and rest.
And the fact that our bodies need sleep is a daily reminder of the need for rest.
It’s often not easy to make this time. Believe me, I know.
Speaking for myself… this pandemic hit me hard. It hit a lot of pastors and churches hard.
Not only that but 2020-21 have been very busy years in general.
You’ve probably noticed that my posts have been rather sporadic these last few months. It’s because I’ve been exceptionally busy. (Hopefully, now, I can get back “on the stick,” so to speak — or more appropriately, on the keyboard!)
This year has seen numerous situations that required my attention, including staff changes, multiple funerals, and some weddings — one of those weddings was for my own daughter!
But as busy as this year has been… Jane and I made a commitment to carving out some rest time this year.
Last year, we let the busyness of ministry sweep us up. And except for a 4-day getaway and a 2-week quasi-sabbatical (for prayer), we didn’t have any vacation in 2020 – and not much time off. In fact, I frequently have to work on my official day off, which is Monday. The demands of ministry never end.
But THIS year — 2021 — Jane and I said “No!” Our marriage, our family, and our health — and God’s word — all demanded that we make rest a priority. And so…
I took advantage of the vacation time I’ve racked up — and we had two getaways this year. In fact, we just got back from our second one — a cruise to the Caribbean.
You may not be in a position where you can take a cruise trip vacation — or any vacation. That’s okay. But start planning for a trip — one that will refresh and rejuvenate you (and, if married, your spouse and, if you have some at home, your kids).
In the meantime, you can grab little periods of rest now and then by:
- Weekend getaways
- Daily walks
- Exercise (yeah, I need to get on this myself!)
- Dates with your spouse (or significant other)
- Reading
- Playing games
- And more
And, of course, prayer. Time with God is the best rest of all — because (when done right) it nourishes your very soul.
It’s important that you take the time to rest.
Your health needs it.
Your relationships need it.
And your God commands it.
