Take time to rest

Many people, including ministers, take great pride in working. The phrase, "I don't have time, I'm working," is a common expression. It seems we feel like we are slackers if we aren't working non-stop. For some it's to make others look bad and having a sense they're better because they work more than others. This mindset is not biblical and has sent too many people to the grave too soon.

I've been as guilty as everyone else. There were times in my newspaper career that I relished in the long hours. It was a sense of accomplishment. A source of pride. I've used the word "pride" twice so far. That's a major issue. We are not to be prideful people. God tells us in Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling."

It's easy to go the same route in ministry as well. We get so busy we don't have time to rest, which is something God makes clear in His Word that we need. From the beginning of creation God showed us resting was important as He instituted the Sabbath during creation.

"By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." - Genesis 2:2-3

Jesus saw the need for rest as well. After an intense time of ministry, Jesus told His disciples in Mark 6:31, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while. (for there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)"

So let me ask you, what's your badge of honor? Is it working non-stop? If it is, you need to change your badge. Yes, we are to work hard to provide for our family, but work shouldn't consistently take us away from our family.

Non-stop work is a health hazard. If we are going and going and never resting, we will soon wear ourselves out. Not resting and stress is a bad combination. Your family needs you, so don't enter an early grave by wearing the badge of too much work.

As I mentioned above, I've been guilty of non-stop working. I've gotten better at it over the years, but I still need to keep an eye on myself. I need rest. Martha and I need away time. We work hard and we love it, because the work we do touches thousands of lives locally and around the world. But what good would we be to all of those people if we worked ourselves into serious health issues and an early grave?

Keep working hard at whatever your career is, but be sure to take time to rest and to rest with your family. It doesn't mean you are slacking. It doesn't mean you are less of a family provider. It means you care that you are around for your family and others who love you.

When is the last time you've taken a long weekend or a week-long vacation? It doesn't mean you have to go somewhere. You can take the time off from work and stay home. Pull up your calendar and be intentional to rest. Your family will thank you, and so will your body and mind.