Pastor (And You), How Are You Doing? – Part 4

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31

There are two kinds of ‘tired’. And the dissimilarity is like the difference between puffy spring rain clouds and the clouds that precede a tornado. One is temporary and normal. It comes from a job well done, and after a period of rest you bounce back. The other is a chronic inner fatigue that accumulates over months, and doesn’t always manifest itself in physical exhaustion. In fact, it’s often masked by frenetic activity and impulsive behaviors such as: 1) You can’t relax over a meal or coffee. 2) You keep checking and rechecking your voice messages and emails. 3) Your bedside table is piled high with publications designed to keep you ‘ahead of the game’. 4) Taking a day off seems impossible. 5) You don’t take breaks and you work every holiday. 6) You can’t sleep. 7) Any free time you have is spent in ‘escapist’ behavior like eating, drinking, spending, and mindlessly watching TV. Wayne Muller said: ‘Because we don’t rest, we lose our way. Poisoned by the belief that good things come only through unceasing determination and tireless effort…for want of rest our lives are in danger.’ The truth is, while you’re busy working hard and looking important, you can lose your ability to hear the voice of the One who called you to your position initially. Yes, God expects you to work hard, but not by endangering your health, your family, or your time with Him. If that’s the shape you’re in right now, Jesus is saying, ‘Come aside…and rest a while.’ If you’re wise and you want to go the distance – you’ll pay attention and do what He says.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to take time to refocus and reload. Help me spend time with the things that are most important, family, friends, and time with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen