Work And Rest Finding A Balance

Work and Rest finding a balance

Mark 6:30,34

30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.

32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Today I want to try to address the many demands of life that keep us from addressing the necessary things of life. Things like peace and contentment, family, friends, laughter and rest. Most importantly of all, time with God.

We have microwave ovens to heat our coffee yet we can not wait the one minute it takes to heat it.

We have instant breakfast in a glass yet no time to sit and drink it we stand and run as we go out the door.

We have cable T.V. satellite T.V. and DVDs and remote controls yet we can not find anything to watch.

We have meals that are ready made in a pouch or package and we have drive-thru restaurants but we have no time to enjoy the meal with loved ones.

We have cell phones, pagers, pedometers and blackberries on our hips but no time to carry our children on that same hip.

We are chasing after the wind trying to keep up yet we never seem to get one step ahead and in fact we often find ourselves two or three steps behind. For some inexplicable reason every time we get a little money in the bank there is a crisis that demands it all and more.

The car, the dentist, the furnace, the roof or the cat or the dog can create a mini-financial crisis. There always seems to be no time or no money or both. We race through our days going from one crisis to the next and never seem to have time for rest or reflection.

We chase promotions or new job opportunities in the hope of feeling accomplishment or assurance to determine who or what we are or what we think we want to be.

When we do have time to go to church we show up and everyone treats us like we are the new visitors and offers us their hand and invites us to coffee when in fact we are long time church members.

What is it that is so important we can not make time for some peace and quiet with God for one hour a week? What are we doing to ourselves, our spouses, and our kids our communities and our churches?

Well yes there are genuine reasons for missing church and yes real emergencies and crisis do occur. But we should remember that we need to be where we draw our strength from in order to face those crises. We need not be so caught up in our problems that we forget where to find the solution.

The enemy wants to keep you tired, warn out, defeated, cranky and so busy you have no time for rational thought or reflective repose when it comes to your spiritual life.

When you must be away yes you can call on scripture such as:

Matthew 18:20 NIV Separated from Church

20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

But if you neglect your spouse in order to chase after a job or task that you put ahead of them you could be faced with greater challenges. When reflecting on personal relationships remember:

1 Corinthians 7:5 NIV Marriage

5 Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

When it comes to your church attendance you need to remember this:

Hebrews 10:19,25 NIV

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.