Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Busyness”
Our Bible verse for today: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Our thought for today: “Give yourself a break.”
Sometimes the best thing you can do is nothing. That’s right. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to do nothing at all. I know that seems counterintuitive but it’s true. Well, maybe a better way to put it would be that rather than being busy with endless activities, a better use of your time would be to simply sit still and rest for a while.
That’s the point God was making in Psalm 46:10. In this verse He is essentially calling us to rest. This is important because we can easily get caught in the trap of thinking that the only time we’re being productive is when we’re in the process of accomplishing some task. But the truth is that sometimes the best thing to do is to just stop all the activity and sit quietly with the Lord for a while. I’ve often told others (and myself) that when you’re tired, stressed, stretched thin and feeling overwhelmed, sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is to take a nap.
We know this and yet we don’t do it. At least we don’t do it enough. I’m preaching to myself here. I’m always making excuses for my busyness, and I convince myself that I really don’t have a choice but to keep going and just push through it. But that’s wrong. We all have a choice about this. And there’s a reason God gave us Psalm 46:10.
My profession (Pastor) is one of the highest turnover professions there is. According to LifeWay Church Resources Research Division, only 10% of pastors stay in the profession long enough to retire from it. At some point 90% give-up and quit. One of the top reasons is burnout. I know this is true, and I have a deep desire to be in the 10% that makes it all the way, yet I continue to make excuses for my busyness and I often disregard the Lord’s clear instruction to dial it back a bit every once in a while.
But this applies to you too. You’re too busy too. And you make excuses for it too. Did I mention that sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is to take a nap? Or a vacation. Or at least an extra day off.
As the people of God we are to live productive lives that includes meaningful labor, and we are to be involved in ministry that blesses the Lord and other people. But we’re also to have a healthy balance that includes plenty of rest and relaxation. It’s the rest and relaxation part that most of us need to get better at. Give yourself a break. You’ll be better and you’ll last longer if you do.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 