Are you too busy? Feeling overextended or exhausted? Me too. Unfortunately many of us, Christians included, wear workaholism as a badge of honor. I once saw a cartoon where a harried person said his “to-do list was so long that he would never die.” Full throttle living is the norm for most of us; but there is another way. A life of busyness AND rest. A life of work AND sabbath. This balance should mark our lives.  Author Adele Calhoun once said, “Rest is a transcendent anchor in the midst of doing.” Now for me to find any sense of balance has required intentionality. “I will take a day off” must be repeated over and over in my mind and I have to plan how that can happen. I must lighten up on myself. Some phone calls won’t be returned promptly, some requests for my time will be denied, and some people will be disappointed that I did not meet their expectations. This is the path to wholeness and spiritual health. Just as I rest a different muscle group each day during my exercise regiment I must rest my whole body. Just as I had to wear glasses for a month to let my eye repair itself from being scratched by my contact, I must sometimes step back. The Scripture says “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.” While Sabbath moved from Saturday to Sunday under the apostles the concept of a day of rest and worship remains. I encourage you to carve out a sabbath from your busy schedule. Well I better sign off I think I need a nap!
Under His Mercy,
Derek Dickinson, Minister