My wife and I just returned from an 8 day vacation to sunny and hot Scottsdale, AZ. We have both worked hard for many months with only weekend breaks and most of those filled with work and "to do" lists. God knew what he was talking about when he demanded a day of rest.
I believe many of us don't know how to rest. We fill our calendars and schedules with events in the evening and weekend. Some of them come from events in which our children wish to participate, from church activities that try to fill "good" and "wholesome" events to build community, and from our need to enjoy ourselves. All are good, but balance and boundaries are vital to long term mental and spiritual health.
Linda and I went away to rest. We slept in till 9:00 or later. We sauntered over to the breakfast spot for coffee and carb high. We worked out and then laid by the pool where we read, slept, ate and enjoyed the relaxing moments. It took about 3 days to get out all the junk from our saturated minds. We turned off email, cell phones, computers...no blogging!
Everyone needs a break. Technology may bring us closer to communication, but it is not your friend when your mind and body need to relax. And it does. We do. Our bodies and minds need to relax. Not simply to contemplate God (which is always good to do), but to be quiet. In the stillness God and his true priorities come into clear view.
You may not be able to afford to go to a resort. You may not be able to get away. But find times to put down the laptop, cellphone and schedule and allow God to speak to you in the stillness.
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