Exhaustion Abounds!
We live in a 24/7, globally connected age. In the 50's Chicago may have been "The City that Never Sleeps," today we live in a world that never sleeps! Our endless quest to do more in less time with less sleep may result in short term spikes in productivity, while exacting a dear price over the long haul. What are we to do?
At the risk of sounding simplistic, I suggest embracing the "Sabbath Principle" and following the example of Jesus.
The Sabbath Principle:
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 And 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, NIV)
The bible reads that "on the seventh day he (God) rested from all his work." In the creation narrative we see "rest" built into the created order. We need to observe regular times of "Sabbath Rest." Our rest needs to be more frequent than the annual family vacation and our rest needs to include elements of very intentional Godward worship. After reading that God rested on the seventh day we read that God made the seventh day "holy." God literally set the seventh day "apart." He made it a special day. Are you engaging in the discipline of the "Sabbath Principle?"
The Example of Jesus:
Before emabrking on His earthly journey of intense ministry, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for a 40 day fast (Matthew 4). He was alone, communing with his Father. Throughout the Gospel of Matthew we read of Jesus' compassion for people and their overwhelming response to Him. We also read of him getting into a boat and leaving the crowd. Surely there were people who needed him and there was much work to be done, but he got into the boat and left. We sometimes need to get into our "boat" to spend time with God. We need to get into our "boat" and spend some time alone. Yes, much needs to be done, but so much more can be accomplished by our Father through prayer. In Matthew 14 we read, "After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone." After an intense season of ministry Jesus retreated by himself to spend time with God.
If Jesus (the God-man) "retreated" often, we probably need to retreat more!
Are you following the example of Jesus?
I think we would accomplish more and have more energy to do it, if we'd observe the Sabbath Principle and follow the example of Jesus.
