Take Time to Rest!

"Do they to realize that I have given them the seventh day, the Sabbath, as a day of rest?" Exodus 16:29

Are you weary? Are you overcommitted and under equipped? Does your calendar frighten you when you see the schedule of events before you? Don't worry if you said, "Yes" to every single question you just read. You are not alone!

I just left my accountability group, my GFF's. We were all excited to hear that Jesus said, "No!" to good things. He could have healed 24/7. He could have told children the stories of his father for hours on end. He could have ministered to the lost, hosted banquets and fund raisers, and led study after study of God's word. But he didn't. There were many times when he turned others away because he needed to rest. And he didn't feel guilty!

God rested on the 7th day. He took time to reflect, to enjoy, and to refresh. And he didn't feel guilty!

Dear Friend, If God and Jesus both needed rest, why are we pushing so hard? As followers of Jesus we need to learn the art of graciously rejecting every opportunity even if it means someone else will have to carry the ball for awhile. It means protecting our quiet time with God, honoring our marriage, and establishing healthy boundaries for our children's activities. When our children's schedules run our lives, something is out of whack! 

"No" is not a word reserved just for bad things! It is a word that defines boundaries... healthy boundaries! Even when they involve faith based activities! Don't feel obligated to justify to others why you can't serve on another committee or why your child isn't part of the most recent activity (even if it's a good thing!). If you need to say no, say no graciously and be done with it. (And yes, I'm going to have to work on this one myself!)

Saying no creates margin in our lives. It allows for rest and time to reflect on the day. It allows for time to refresh and see the work that God is doing all around us! Saying no is freedom!

Dear Lord,

We busy our lives because of a lie. A lie that says, "The more we do the better off we are." But God you rested because it was important. Help us to have the wisdom and discernment to say, "NO!" to things that will be distractions to our rest and well being.

In your name we pray,

Amen