Resting
Taking a break was God’s idea. It assumes we are diligent in our work. Even the statement he uses to institute a weekly break is couched in the reminder that we were never designed or commissioned for a life of luxury “six days do your work” but then we must “rest” (Ex.23:12). While there was obviously a ceremonial aspect to the seventh day that was indicative of the Old Covenant, enough of the statements regarding the “day of rest” teach us that while the ceremonial requirement was fulfilled in Christ (Heb.4:1-11; Col.2:16-17), the idea of regularly taking a break was not.
Weekly breaks are important, and so are periodic days and even weeks of feasting and festivals. Israel’s calendar was punctuated with divinely sanctioned times of reflection, refreshment and new starts. Jesus, the hardest working example we have (Jn.17:4), was still insistent that the disciples take the time needed to find refreshment: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mk.6:31).
If you don’t plan to take regular breaks, you will either justify taking more than you need by rationalizing that you “never get a break” or you will find yourself becoming increasingly unproductive and unthankful, to say the least! So enjoy the respites that God allows and thank him for the work he plans to do through you, his refreshed servant!
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Thanks for this reminder of God ‘s wonderful provisions for us. Being some what of a workaholic I need to be reminded that God put rest in His plans for my life. I Listen to you on one place internet.
I read one time that a preacher said that as Christians we have entered our eternal rest spiritually. But we still need physical rest. But it does not matter which day of the week we get that physical rest. It is our spiritual rest that is important. And that is what happened when we accepted Christ as our Savior. We are already in God’s kingdom.