Sabbath Rest

We preachers are very busy people. We often are so passionately involved, dedicated and committed to helping and assisting others. In fact there are probably those who think I am a workaholic. I wonder what our neighbors think sometimes of my seemingly never being home until late evening? or being away from home so often? Do they see the work of the ministry as busyness or necessity? A fellow grad student in my last class shared how he had a neighbor who deliberately took time off to spend it with his family. This fellow student one day happened to stop by and strike up a conversation with his neighbor. During the conversation the neighbor mentioned the student's busyness by saying something along the line that if the church kept him that busy he wasn't sure that the church would be such a good thing for his family. Maybe I should ask my neighbor what he thinks of my busyness? Is it a witness or a hindrance to the Gospel?

I read this morning: "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 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)

Do we rest? God created the heavens and earth in six days. On the seventh day he rested. I am reminded that Jesus also rested. He would take time and set it aside for himself. He would leave the crowds to find quiet times. He would withdraw from the crowds. He made time to be alone.

Are we afraid to rest for fear that nothing will get done? If so, is that a lack of faith on our part to trust God? After all, He is the One who called us and planted us where we are. Is it possible that God wants you and I to take a little R&R? Could a sabbath rest mean going for a walk through the woods? or taking the family on a special outing? or just sitting down by the fire with a good book in the cool of early morning? What is your idea of a sabbath rest?