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 [NIV]
If you have been busy and stressed this last few weeks, you might find that you are also suffering from lack of sleep, and the resulting tiredness. Rest is important to recharge our batteries and prevent us from burning out or becoming graceless and intolerant. It is hard to be loving and patient when you are completely tired out! (this is a lesson I really need to learn).
Jesus spent three years in full-time ministry, but he didn’t ignore the Sabbath and he did withdraw from the crowds for rest and times of prayer. We need to schedule time for rest and relaxation or we may not have time to enjoy it.
Lord, help us to follow your command to keep the Sabbath holy and to make time for rest every week. Help us to be renewed by restful sleep and experience your peace. Amen.
Dave MacLellan (first published in 2010)
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