Maybe you can relate to some of these stories…
I once spent five minutes searching desperately for my cell phone, complaining the whole time about it being missing, to my girlfriend, who I was talking to on my cell phone. This went on until she timidly asked “Are you using your phone right now?” It was such an out-of-body experience, I just hung up.
Eeeps—sometimes we’re so distracted that we don’t know what we’re doing. Put your hand up if you’ve done one of those! You’re not alone.
Many years ago I had to do a presentation. When I got to the meeting and opened my briefcase, I realized I had been carrying a backgammon board all morning.
How about that? Have you ever been too busy to notice?
In the middle of the night, George was pacing back and forth in his room, unable to sleep. this woke his wife, who asked him why he couldn’t sleep. He replied, “You know that thousand dollars I borrowed from Bob next door? Well it’s due tomorrow, and I don’t have it, and I’m anxious and can’t sleep.” His wife said, “Honey, I have the solution.” She opened up the window and yelled to the house next door. “Bob, wake up.” A light went on in the house next door and Bob stuck his head out of his window. She continued, “You know that thousand dollars my husband owes you? Well, he doesn’t have it!” Then she closed her window and turned to her husband. “There, now let him pace the floor and you go to sleep.”
Worry and stress cause you to think (and walk) in circles, and if tripled with sleeplessness, it creates some hard days ahead. No one is alone in these feelings. These small stories only serve as an illustration of how crazy, stressful, and busy life can be at moments.
The following descriptive passage of scripture (make sure you read it slowly), puts a special light on what Jesus wants for us.
“The apostles returned from their mission and gathered around Jesus and told Him everything they had done and taught. There was such a swirl of activity around Jesus, with so many people coming and going, that they were unable to even eat a meal. So Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Come, let’s take a break and find a secluded place where you can rest a while.'”
Mark 6:30-31 TPT
Jesus recognized that they needed a break, a secluded place, and some much-needed rest. The word rest, Anapauó, means to give rest, give intermission from labour, and by implication refresh.
The disciples were on mission (so are you), they were doing and teaching (yes, again), loving and serving people (your community).
You have a list (and probably always will) and we understand that sometimes the work must continue, that rest is still a way off, and that you’re giving your life to what matters.
But, there is still a call to rest. This is simply a friendly reminder that Canadian summers are so short, take moments, and hopefully at least a week to stop, rest, refresh, and pause from your labours.
“The same way a loving father feels toward his children—that’s but a sample of your tender feelings toward us, your beloved children, who live in awe of you. You know all about us, inside and out. You are mindful that we’re made from dust.“
Psalms 103:13-14 TPT
We pray that you find rest this summer. Thanks for all you do.