I used to think that taking time for myself and truly resting was a luxury. And, I’ve learned that to be my best self, getting rest is a necessity
Let’s start with a story…
It was late when I finally finished eating dinner. Tired and bleary-eyed from a long week at work, I opened the kitchen cupboard to put away my spaghetti leftovers, and stopped suddenly.
What am I doing?
I shook my head and laughed, and put the food in the refrigerator where it belonged.
I was exhausted.
The past few months had been a whirlwind, and tension was taking its toll. Of course, putting Italian food in the wrong place was the least of it. Most nights I was up late working, folding laundry, or doing “one more thing” before bed wondering why the days were so long and the nights so short.
I don’t think I’m the only one who has too much to do and never enough time.
Indeed, we are a generation of busy people—working hard but hardly living. Getting enough rest, replenishing rest, is often at the bottom of our priority list.
But, why?
We all have our reasons we don’t make rest a priority.
Some are self-imposed, like people who stay continually busy in order to avoid pain and disappointment.
Others live a life of constant motion because they’re trying to please others or keep up appearances.
Of course there are busy seasons in life, like a couple with a newborn baby, or an accountant during tax time.
But for some, being busy all the time seems to be a badge of honor.
Have you ever run into someone you know in the grocery store and said, “Hi! How are you?”
And she replies, “Good. We’re so busy these days.”
In the exhaustion of daily living, we often complain, “There’s so much to do, and never enough time” instead of saying a quiet prayer, “Lord, I am so tired. Please help me.”
And that’s exactly what God will do when you ask Him.
There is a better way to find a better life, but sometimes false beliefs keep us stuck on a hamster wheel of perpetual motion.
Let’s look at some of those false beliefs about real rest in the next post…
No Comments