Rest.
It’s not something that is talked about a lot in our society.
Being BUSY is talked about. Being BUSY is glorified because it somehow makes you important and worthy and gives you VALUE as a person.
At least that is what society tells us everywhere we go. Hard working people are IMPORTANT PEOPLE who’ve DONE SOMETHING with their lives.
But, I can bet that those people are not fulfilled in any way shape or form.
I am one of those people searching for worth and value in being busy and always DOING. Not trying to find my value at the feet of Jesus.
Running my own business is A LOT of work. You don’t see my 12 hour days almost every day of the week (not complaining, I love doing it!) but, in the past, I’ve made having my own business, and providing for Mr. FFF while he is in school right now, my very identity.
The other day, I had a 10 HOUR video shoot. It was EXHAUSTING. The NEXT DAY, I woke up STILL TIRED from it. I didn’t want to work. I wanted to sleep forever. But, my brain kept telling me that was wrong, and I felt GUILTY for it. What kind of lazy person would I be if I just closed my eyes for an hour and tried to recharge? And what kind of WORSE person would I be if I – GASP – took the day off?
Then, I realized something: I’d be the same person. Still Taylor. Still loved by Jesus. And I bet literally NOTHING would happen to FFF if I didn’t work on it for a day.
Do you ever find yourself in this place? Getting caught up in the BUSY of life? Running around, trying to DO just because DOING is glorified? Then, at the end of day, you’re just too tired to pick up your Bible and hang out with Jesus. I know I am not alone.
God designed us to work, YES, but he also designed us for rest. Without rest we:
- Can’t be effective witnesses for him
- Don’t have the strength to put on the armor of God and fight whatever spiritual battles we go through. I know overcoming some of my disordered eating is A LOT harder when I am overworked and haven’t rested in Jesus.
God calls us to rest:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” Genesis 2: 2-3
“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.” Psalm 127:2
So, I want to challenge myself to not feel GUILT when I just really need a break this year. And, I want to challenge you too.
Let’s slow down.
Let’s not look for worth it what the world tells us to DO, but what God designed us FOR to be better instruments for His use.
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