time for a little r & r

Rest and relaxation. Who doesn't love the sound of those two words?

Unfortunately, however, for most people those words have become synonymous with "vacation." It's as though vacation time is the only time we can afford to rest and relax. I mean, after all, the name of the game in non-vacation time is go, go, go! There's simply no time to rest and relax. This, however, is not a healthy approach.

Our bodies were designed to rest. And they were designed to rest because we need rest. This is a physiological fact. Simply put, we will wear ourselves down if we don't rest.

This concept is also supported biblically. In Genesis 2:1-3, we see that God created the world in six days and then rested on the seventh. In Exodus 20:8-11, we see God institute the practice of the Sabbath. According to this law (one of the 10 commandments), a man was to work six days a week and rest on the seventh. Rest was not optional for the Hebrews, it was mandatory.

We also see the importance of not overworking ourselves through Jethro (Moses' father-in-law)'s advice to Moses in Exodus 18. Moses was working day and night judging among the people. When Jethro heard this, "Moses' father-in-law said to him, 'What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.'" (Ex 18:17, 18 ESV)

My life can be so hectic and busy at times. If I'm not busy with one thing, then something else is sure to swallow up my time. It feels like I'm constantly on the go. There's always something else to be done. Rest can become an afterthought. But the more I push forward, the more I drain my body, mind and spirit.

It can be difficult to relax without feeling guilty, lazy or bored. But I think that's because our rest is not typically true rest. I know my relaxation usually includes TV, video games, computer time and the like. But that's not relaxing our mind, body or spirit at all.

I think true relaxation comes from spending time in the presence of our Creator.

This is why I will be enjoying my weekend at Youth Pastor/Youth Leader Retreat. Retreat is defined by Merriam-Webster's online dictionary as "3 : a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study or instruction under a director." This is a pretty good description of what I'll be doing. But even better than that is personal retreat.

For anyone reading this who is like me, do yourself a favor. Spend some time withdrawn from technology and media and everything else that keeps us from resting. I would encourage you to meditate on the things of the Lord. It is then that you will find true rest.