Time for Rest...I think God means it!

Last week we headed to Shannon’s folks to celebrate Thanksgiving.  While we were there some strange events unfolded.  I played several games of Hearts.  I joined others in watching Jeopardy (without multi-tasking once).  I slept in.  I relaxed.  I even laughed at REALLY bad jokes (What is green, has 4 legs, and will hurt you if it falls out of a tree on you???  A pool table!  What is brown, has 4 legs, and sees just as well out of either end?  A horse with its eyes closed!!  Yes, my mother-in-law’s jokes!).

I love playing cards with others.  I enjoy hanging out and telling fun stories.   I don’t even mind groaning at really bad jokes.  Shouldn’t these be normal activities in my life?  Shouldn’t they be things I do on a regular basis?  Why did it feel so strange to let my hair down (figuratively, of course) to relax and enjoy life?

Sadly, last Friday was probably the first real ‘day off’ that I’d taken in months.  I’ve been caught up in the myth of busyness!  No matter how hard I’ve worked, the to-do list has not gotten smaller.

It’s been quite a fall: completing and moving into a new building at Peace Lutheran Church, kick-starting a myriad of fall ministry opportunities, working with new ministries throughout the synod, travelling to several overnight conferences from Omaha to LaCrosse to Watertown, SD (in a one month span I slept in 9 beds!).  Throw in some cross country meets, my niece’s confirmation, and the usual ‘need to get done’ home activities and it’s gotten out of control. 

I’ve coped with it all by entering ‘purpose mode.’  I’ve focused on getting things DONE.   Every day felt like a success or failure based on how much I got done.  I became a working machine with no spare minute wasted.  I plowed through an amazing amount of work.  I’m really good at this!  Success, right? 

Not so much!  I didn’t have time for people…I only had time for projects.  I didn’t have time for relationships…I only had time to ‘accomplish things.’  Frankly, life became pretty lonely!  A to-do list is a pretty poor substitute for actual friends and family.

I truly believe that God used the fun and relaxation of last Friday to open my eyes, reminding me that life is not lived to simply accomplish many tasks.  God calls me a life filled with rest and joy…not a life with my nose to the grindstone.  In August on this blog I wrote about the importance of taking time to rest.  Apparently God needs to keep sending reminders. 

I’m looking forward to more games of Hearts…and more bad jokes!  Thank you Jesus!

God had a day of rest, so why don't I??

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then 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)

In six days God:

·         created the heavens

·         created the earth

·         created plants

·         created animals

·         created people

On the seventh day God rested.

In six days I:

·         write sermons

·         plan church events

·         organize church youth activities

·         do a zillion behind the scenes church things

·         oversee new ministries in the synod on behalf of Bishop Usgaard

·         do projects at home

·         cook

·         clean

·         do some laundry

·         run my son from event to event

·         garden

·         take care of the yard

·         etc…etc…etc…

On the seventh day, I have just a few one or two more things to take care of.

I think God is on to something! 

We live in a culture that doesn’t know when to stop, and I’m as guilty as anyone else.  The list of things to do never ends.  I wake up early to have some time to catch up.  I often get to bed later than I’d like because I have ‘just one last thing to do.’  I measure the ‘quality’ of my day by how much I accomplished.

When my family goes away to our cabin for a few days, a new list appears: move some rock…push the cattails out of the way…repair the boat…  Last Friday I thought I’d try something different.  After a few 13 hour work days, my family and I headed north.  For one day, I ignored the to-do list.  I slept in…I fished…I grilled lunch...I read a book…I napped…I went jogging…I played cards. Imagine – a whole day without feeling any obligation to get stuff done…a day of rest!  It was lovely! 

I know that when I have some time to relax I’m happier, I’m more fun to be around, I’m a better parent, and I actually get more done.    Why don’t I do that more often?  Why do I keep running the rat race?  It makes no sense.

If God can rest after six days of work, why do I feel the need to keep charging ahead?  My challenge for this fall, as my schedule fills up with new activities, is to find a time of rest.  God created us to take time to unwind and enjoy God’s world.  God calls us to times of peace and reflection.  God reaches out to us in worship and prayer.

I suspect I’m not the only one struggling here!  There’s no glory in having the busiest schedule.  The list of things to do will still be there tomorrow…it doesn’t need to be done now.  Let us join God in a weekly day of rest!  God knows that we need it.