Thought for the day
One afternoon, I was in the back yard hanging the laundry when an old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home. But when I walked into the house, he followed me, sauntered down the hall and fell asleep in a corner. An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out. The next day he was back. He resumed his position in the hallway and slept for an hour.
This continued for several weeks. Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: "Every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.
"The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar: "He lives in a home with ten children - he's trying to catch up on his sleep."
(Susan Roman, from "Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul")
A lot of us spend time trying to catch up on our sleep. Our lives are so very busy -- busyness has become a way of life. We work and work to do more and more -- wearing down our mental and physical health, as well as damaging our relationship with others. We need to be told to slow every now and then. That's why the Jews were commanded to take a Sabbath rest every week.
That's why Jesus took time every now and then to get away from the crowd and recharge. It's not that God is against work, not at all. From the time that Adam was set in the Garden of Eden, work has been a part of God's plan for our lives. God is not against work. But He is against work consuming our lives. He is against us finding our significance and self-worth in our work. He is against us filling our lives so full of work that we don't have time for Him or other people. And He doesn't want us to think that work is all that there is in life.
"Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, 'Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.' For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat." (Mark 6:30-31)
In your hectic schedule, don't forget to pencil in some time to rest!
Verses
Isaiah 40:8
grass withers and flowers fade, but our God's promise stands for evermore.
1 Corinthians 12:28
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
James 1:13
Let no one say when passing through trial, "My temptation is from God;" for God is incapable of being tempted to do evil, and He Himself tempts no one.
1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Philippians 4:19
But my God shall satisfy to the full your every need in accordance with His wealth in glory in Christ Jesus.
Prayer
Father, we recognize from Scripture that You long to be gracious to Your children, to show them compassion and give them direction. You bless those who wait upon You. Though you give us the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, you also give us teachers, prophets, and believing friends who affirm or challenge us as we seek Your face and Your will for our lives. As we hold up the lamp of Your Word to lighten the path before us, how good it is to hear Your voice behind us saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” You’ve promised that You will never leave us or forsake us. Darkness will not overtake us, for You are the Light of the World, and in You there is no darkness at all. Thank You for Your reassuring presence that You walk with us step by step on this day. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment