Reflections on Rest

After a month of rest, I’m pregnant!

Now that I have your attention, let me clarify . . . I’m pregnant with lots of realizations and insights. I am prayerful that I may share them with you in words. Today, I wish to share some of these insights which I can now describe with words. Rest is not a luxury! It is a need to stay alive. It is not unproductive; it is really a muchneeded space to be human again . . . as designed by God. Make no mistake . . . Workaholism is the unchallenged enemy. It takes time to recover from its control . . . to detach from it.

My month-long rest was made possible by a kind church in which God had given me the privilege to serve as Pastor. I am so blessed to have wonderful co-workers who took over the load . . . added to that, very gracious leaders who allowed this to happen. After ministering for 30 years, including other churches I have served in, it is only now that I get to do NOTHING. At first you agree we need rest . . . but it is different when you actually really rest . . . when ‘Vacation actually means to vacate!’

Rest is a struggle . . . guilt is the Master tormentor. I realize that this dragon of guilt and addiction for results cannot be slain by selfeffort. Here, you literally admit your helplessness and actually learn the simple application of surrender . . . and that is ‘to cry to God for help’. I remember praying “Lord, let me sleep and switch my brain off”. The act of reflection can slip to the other side as mental torture and emotional drain. Rest is actually difficult or impossible without the intervention of God.

The goal is to slow down, go along with the rhythm of “holy laziness”. Not only do you need the help of God, you will really need the help of others . . . friends, family and especially, co-workers. Should it really be one month? It depends upon your situation. If you look at the Israelites under the rule of Pharaoh, they did not have a real rest for 300 years . . . many died tired! I think the issue is find time now to rest!

Now I’m back at work. Honestly, I am in a very complicated situation, phasing back to the routine of ministry is much more difficult than fighting the dragon of guilt. This time it is an unlabelled monster giving you a feeling of resentment and regret because you don’t feel satisfied. I guess your body is rested but your emotion is still catching up . . . recovery takes time. Workaholism for 30 years and more cannot be cured in 30 days of rest!

Resting is needed. Resting is not a concept—it must be a concrete effort to stop working! The enemy of rest is delay. Resting is a struggle; it requires surrender to Jesus who offered it. Rest must go on not only from routine but a choice made to be still inside. Rest is not a luxury; it is a requirement to stay alive and be human. Rest in peace . . . that is another story! Thanks for reading...hello...I’M BACK!