REST
Another powerful lesson I've learned from the missionary training is the value of taking a sabbath. Not because we're under the law and are required to, but because we're under grace. God gives us the freedom to take a day off every week without guilt!! For me, this is HUGE!
Little background: After 3 months on the road (Feb-May), I arrived home exhausted! And yet...after 10 days at home, I still felt worn out. Couldn't bear the thought of heading down the road again! I finally took my Bible and a lunch to the mts for a day. That day with the Lord was exactly what I needed to revive my spirit. Two weeks later, I learned about the importance of sabbath. If I had been taking a day off every week since Feb...I'm sure I would have arrived home in a much better condition.
Here's some other thoughts that have helped lead me to turning this into a new, weekly habit:
*God never created us to be human doings but human beings.
*Something I'm learning about myself: I get much of my identity through how much I get done. A successful day is checking lots of things off my "to do" list. Is this the "life and life more abundantly" that God offers?
*"Because we do not rest we lose our way...poisoned by the hypnotic belief that good things come only through unceasing determination and tireless effort, we never truly rest. And for want of rest our lives are in danger." Wayne Muller
*"In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." Isa 30:15
*"(Sabbath) is letting go, for one day out of seven, all those parts of our identities and abilities in which we are constantly tempted to find our security, and discovering afresh that we are His children and that He is our Father and shield and defender." Mark Buchanan in The Rest of God
*Am I so busy trying to get things done that I have no time to pay homage to the King of kings? Has my agenda become my king?
Whew! That last statement grips my soul! Guess what I did yesterday? :-)