We live in a very action-oriented culture and in a world that glorifies business. According to some resources, you should be “making money while you sleep.” Therefore when you are taking time to rest you may feel a weight on your shoulders to get stuff done; then feel guilty for resting. That is a lot of pressure to put on yourself and while having ambitions is wonderful you won't be able to fulfill these dreams if you are burnt out. There is a quote that says, “You don’t burn out from what you do, you burn out from what you don’t.” It takes the average person a couple of days to actually be on vacation mode so how can we find time to rest amidst our busy schedules?
To start, do not view relaxation as a reward. “Once I get everything done on my list then I can finally rest…” Rest is not a reward but a chance to recharge so you can continue in your work. Say you had an unpredictable circumstance come up with work that led to you not getting everything done on your list, you still worked therefore you still need to rest. A to-do list does not determine if you rest or not, you do. I know in school or work it’s easy to let our tasks come before God because our relationship with God doesn’t have an official deadline. At least that’s how it feels, but we do have a deadline for when we will meet with God we just don’t know when that will be. Our resting time with God should be our most important task. If you are a list-maker like me, write in a time for rest or mark it in your planner so you have a physical reminder.
Secondly, resting is following scripture. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus said,” Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” If you are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted the only way to lighten the burden is by coming to Jesus. Of course resting with God, although most necessary, is not the only form of rest. There is resting with family, by yourself, or doing something you love. Recharging can look different for every person, for some it may be doing a puzzle, taking a walk, reading a book, etc. It is just crucial that when we do make time to rest we put out spiritual health first.
It is pivotal to view your time for rest as just as important as your time at work. The value of our time doesn’t change based on what we are doing. I rest on Mondays so I can teach on Sundays, I wouldn't be able to do one without the other. So if you are taking time to slow down, stay committed to that and realize you do not need to make up excuses for why you are resting.
So how do you know if you need rest? Look inward and ask yourself, “Do I have joy? Do I have energy? Am I easily irritated? You may be feeling impatient, annoyed, and tired because you are working yourself thin. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” I have seen so many talented people with an incredible light in them that even helped fuel other people’s lights. Then slowly over time, I watched it fade to the point where they are no longer pleasant to be around. Could it be for other reasons? Possibly. But I’d be willing to bet their light burnt out because they forgot to add the proper supplies to keep the flame lit. The greatest gift you can give others is a healthy you.
Matthew: 11:25-29
“At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
“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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Yoke = heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of an ox. It is attached to a piece of equipment the oxen are to pull.
