Rest July 10, 2006
There are several things I am NOT good at–snow skiing, water skiing, drawing and/or painting, working on anything electronic…and REST. I have the hardest time slowing down…and yesterday I confessed this sin to the church. For the past six and a half years I have had one speed–MACH nine! And so for the next three weeks I am taking some time off. Here are a few thoughts on this as to why…
#1 – Rest Is Biblical
If you read through the 10 commandments in Exodus 20 you will discover that the longest command is the one on rest. Don’t take my word for it–get out your Bible and read it for yourself. God gives a lot of detail when it comes to rest because He knows that we humans look for loopholes. SO…in my opinion–He closes them in His explanation!
AND…as I have been reading through the Gospels this past month I have seen clearly how many times the Bible mentions that Jesus breaks away from the crowds. I have heard the phrase, “Well, the devil never takes a day off.” BUT we all need to consider that the devil should not serve as our example.
#2 – I want to hear clearly from God
When Jesus wanted to hear from His Father He didn’t go to the busy streets–He got away. SO…I am going to get away for a day or two solely for the purpose of spending time with God. He’s doing a work in me–everything I read…in every prayer time I feel Him pressing me to take some HUGE risks in the future…it’s so exciting…and I am going to be seeking HIM in exactly what risks need to be taken. I don’t want to screw this up!
#3 – I want to spend some quality time with Lucretia
In my opinion–the hardest job in the church is the pastors wife–period. I will do a completely separate post on this someday…but let’s just say that there is a reason MANY pastor’s marriages are always on the rocks.
I made a commitment to ‘Cretia when we first got married that the ministry would never come before her–and I have made good on that promise so far. BUT it has been intentional…no husband ever accidentally spends time with his wife–especially a pastor–it has to be planned and then guarded with pit bull intensity!
SO…’Cretia and I will be getting away for a few days…where…I will let you know when we get back! :-)
#4 – It’s easier to surrender to temptation when you are tired!
I read a study once…I am not sure where…that was done on ministers that had made bad moral/ethical decisions in the ministry and, as a result, were no longer in the ministry. The one thing they ALL had in common was that they made their bad decision when they were tired.
It is a lot harder to resist temptation when you are tired…that is a fact. That is why rest is so important, not only does it refresh us physically–but it helps us emotionally and spiritually as well.
SO…I am breaking away for a few weeks–and it’s going to be awesome. As I said in the last post–I will blog from time to time…pray for me…peace out!