Journey to Faith

Journey to Faith
Follow your own path

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Give It a Rest

Happy Labor Day weekend! Monday is the day the government set aside in 1882 to honor the working person. As a working woman, I sure do appreciate the day off. How about you? What are your plans for the holiday? Shopping, cleaning, cooking, parties?

As I made plans for the weekend, I was sorely tempted to try to catch up on my to do list. You have one of those, right? As a single, there is always something that needs to be done: organize my office, clean the windows, wash my new car. The list is endless. But then I paused...

This is Labor Day - a holiday - for the hardworking American.

I deserve a rest!

The scripture verse that has been popping up on a regular basis around here this entire year came to mind. "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest," (Matthew 11:28).

So I decided I was going to obey and rest at the pool. The shopping will always be there. The papers will be there. This was the last weekend of pool season and I was going to enjoy it. Sunglasses, reading material, and wide-brimmed hat in hand, I headed down to pick out my spot at the pool.

Ah, this is just what I needed as I reclined in the warmth of the sun. When I finally did rouse myself to get into the pool, I shocked everybody by not jumping right in with doing my laps.

"I'm floating today," I responded to the raised eyebrow of a neighbor.

So why am I sharing this with you today, friends? Because I think I am not the only one who needs to give it a rest. We get so caught up in our busy schedules, our problems and issues, and all the other various and sundry thoughts that occupy our minds, it is important to give ourselves a rest, not just a physical rest but a mental one as well.

A good indicator of needing a rest is to ask myself two questions:
1) How much am I doing today?
2) How much am I talking today?

If I am running from one thing to another or talking non-stop about my problems, chances are I need to give it a rest. Our bodies and our minds need a time out from thinking and from doing. I believe that's why Jesus commanded us to come to Him. Like Mary and Martha, Martha was constantly doing  but Mary chose the best part - sitting at Jesus' feet and enjoying His presence.

How much time have you spent with Jesus this weekend, dear one? Has your weekend been filled with running, doing, and talking? I encourage you to start today and give it a rest. You'll be amazed at how energized you will feel. Until next time, keep looking up!