I know, I know, it is so tempting to cram every minute with something to do or someone to see. Life is short right? So, why not make the most of it?
It has taken a while but I have learned that is not quite the way to go about life. God created the world (which is a big task!) and then He rested. If God took a snoozer and sat on a comfy cloud eating his version of comfort food, shouldn’t we too?
It was summer of 2015 and I did not want to waste any time. I had a tiny two week break then I was off. First I had five weeks of being a camp counselor, then a two week break. During the two weeks I drove to Murray, then went to Nicaragua, then went straight back to camp. The day after camp I was headed back to Murray to start another semester.
In short, I broke. Months later I was reaping the lack of rest. I was losing hair, losing motivation, constantly crying, and sometimes I couldn’t even get out of bed. My mind, body and soul were exhausted, running on empty. I could only pretend to be ok for so long.
Eventually I mustered up enough strength to cry out for help, so here I sit today with lots of hair and dry eyes. Surely I had learned my lesson, but still I stretch myself thin to the point of transparency.
When I look at my calendar my mind ticks, wanting to squeeze every moment in, but I have to stop myself because I don’t want to crumple into a heap of bone deep exhaustion, not really enjoying God’s hard work at all.
Sometimes we need soul resting sleep, the kind not disturbed by an alarm clock or pressing schedule. Other times we just need to run solo, in neighborhoods or trails. Other times we just need to sit and be, doing nothing really at all.
The beauty of rest is that it is tailored different for everyone. Sometimes I need a bowl of chocolate ice-cream, loads of blankets, no people, and a book. Other times I need fresh air and blood pumping through my veins, so I walk through woods and sit by rippling waters.
We are called to work, to till the land and produce fruit by the sweat of our brow, but we are also called to rest. It is ok to say that you are tired. Be kind to your body and soul and it will take less sweat to produce the fruits of your labor.
If anything, the seventh day was created for rest and nothing else.
