I've never been too good at doing a type of Sabbath-rest day, especially in the last few months. But God knew I was exhausted yesterday, before I even did, and told me to pause my mission for that day.
So, I went to church with a friend, dropped something off for a neighbor, and helped take care of my dogs. But I refrained from writing, planning, preparing, networking, marketing, or even replying back to people. Instead, I watched football and enjoyed some family time.
It's hard for me to do this, knowing in the back of my mind that I need to get stuff done eventually. However, God was wanting me to have faith in Him that, if I rested in Him, He would help me to get what He needed me to accomplish done.
Sometimes, we’re trying so hard to finish a level at a video game that we push away our needs. When we do this, we’re making the situation harder. Pausing for snacks, a mental break, some sleep, or to seek help is more productive. We, also, must learn to do this in our real-life missions.
In the Bible we see rest being noted from the very beginning. God rested after He made creation to show us that He viewed it as good. Then, a little later, God caused Adam to sleep deeply, and while Adam rested – God was working. When Adam woke up, he found that God had created a woman. In the New Testament, we find that Jesus values rest. He called His disciples to rest and now calls us to rest. Ultimately, Jesus reveals that the beginning of true rest is found in Him. Going to anything else will only cover up our exhaustion for a short time.
Three ways to pause often in our missions are: First, whenever we get stuck, overwhelmed, or exhausted, immediately take a moment to pray. Jesus did this before a big decision of selecting the twelve disciples, but it can even just be about a situation we’re anxious about or is tiring us. Second, realize that God might be prompting us to rest in times of waiting. We’ll probably experience seasons like Elijah did, where we’re waiting for what to do next for a long period of time. During these times, God could be using it to call us to rest by spending time with Him. Third, surrender our time and tasks to God, knowing that under His control, what needs to get done will be accomplished. We can plan and push through all we want, but He is the one who establishes our progress. He knows best how to and when to carry out a task.
Here’s how not to pause efficiently: Wait to pause until you’re breaking down – Elijah was so depleted that, when he did rest, he became depressed. Pause out of laziness – God warns that how much you do will provide an estimation of what you’ll earn, which could be either things like joy and peace or material possessions. View resting as giving up or selfish – Even Jesus, when He was on earth, needed time to rest, it’s hard to help others when your sleep deprived, hangry, too busy for God, and mentally drained.
God’s Guidance:
Genesis 2:2-3 (NIV) – “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
Genesis 2:21-22 (NIV) – “So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.”
Mark 6:30-31 (NIV) – “The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 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.””
Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV) – ““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Luke 6:12-13 (NIV) – “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:”
Philippians 4:6 (NIV) – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
1 Kings 17:1-6 (NIV) – “Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.””
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Proverbs 20:24 (NIV) – “A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?”
1 Kings 18:1 (NIV) – “After a long time, in the third year, the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.””
1 Kings 19:3-5 (NIV) – “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.”
Proverbs 13:4 (NIV) – “A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”
Luke 5:15-16 (NIV) – “Yet 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.”
Application:
1. Set up timers during your tasks to stop and pray about how it’s going and what to do next
2. Let God know that you’ll rest when He calls you to, because you trust His control of your mission
3. Evaluate the last month to see where you paused for needed rest and where you paused because you just didn’t feel like doing it, and come up with a plan to help battle against laziness
Strength Point:
Rest is a powerful resource to use during our missions, especially when it’s grounded in Jesus.
Reflection Question:
Do you have a set rest day?
Song of the Week:
Prayer Prompt:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for encouraging me to pause for times of rest. You refresh and strengthen me like nothing else ever could. I’m sorry for trying to push through exhaustion, instead of surrendering control of my time and tasks to You. I pray that I’d realize the importance of resting and taking a break from my mission. Remind me that I’m not the hero of the mission, and that even when You, who is the hero, came to earth, took time to rest. In fact, You rested after making the world, not because You, as God, needed to rest, but to show me that it’s something good. Help me to understand that I might even need to pause for just a few minutes, to talk the situation through with You – to make sure my mission is still centered on You. Thank You that I can comfortably rest in Your protective and powerful arms. I want to glorify You even through my rest time! I love You, Jesus! In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen.
A Prayer to Pray over Others:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for encouraging us to pause for times of rest. You refresh and strengthen us like nothing else ever could. Help my friend to not push through exhaustion; but, instead, to surrender control of their time and tasks to You. I pray that they’d realize the importance of resting and taking a break from their mission. Remind my friend that they’re not the hero of the mission, and that even when You, who is the hero, came to earth, took time to rest. In fact, You rested after making the world, not because You, as God, needed to rest, but to show us that it’s something good. Help my friend to understand that they might even need to pause for just a few minutes, to talk the situation through with You – to make sure their mission is still centered on You. Thank You that we can comfortably rest in Your protective and powerful arms. Let Your name be glorified even through our rest time! I love You, Jesus! In Your Name, Jesus, I pray, amen.
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Find out what you can do and become more aware by visiting Her Song.
Comments