The middle of the week is usually the busiest. I initially decided to post my blogs on Wednesdays for this exact reason. I was hoping it could be a good 2-5 minute break from your day to receive instead of going and doing. However, resting in general, I would even say everyday, is good. Everyone's heard the saying "you can't pour from an empty cup", and as cliche as it is, it is so true. And the reason I believe you should find some time of your day everyday to rest is because I am sure that everyday you are doing things, giving yourself and your time to things. So, you can't do that running on low fuel. Obviously sleeping at night can physically get you through the whole day, but what about getting through the whole day emotionally and spiritually? Isn't that important too?
It is actually biblical to rest. God doesn't desire for us to be serving all the time. (What?!!) Starting in Genesis, God himself rested on the seventh day and made that day holy, and in Exodus it says that we should keep it holy by resting too. And in the gospels, when Jesus was on earth, he told Martha that her sister Mary had chosen the right choice, to sit at the feet of Jesus, instead of serving him. There are many stories in the Bible about why we should serve, but I'm sure all of you have got that down and are being wonderful servants of God, so that's why I want to encourage you to rest as well. My college director at the church I go to tells us every week that if we simply need to receive at church that week instead of serving, to do that and not feel bad about it. It has been the sweetest thing to have the tiniest bit of pressure off my shoulders to think about what I need for myself, and I hope y'all feel like you have that option too. God cares about you, and he wants what's best for you, and I promise that having something planned for every single minute of your day is not what's best for you. It's okay to have a planner and color code everything you're doing during the day, but maybe it's best for you to pick a color for the times when you do something restful and nice that you will enjoy.
Soooo... here's the fun part! What do you enjoy? What will refill your joy jar (I just made that up haha) in the middle of your day even if you only have thirty minutes? I choose to do different things based on what I feel I need. For example, if I feel stressed in the middle of my day, I'm more likely to choose to do yoga for my workout instead of cardio. Or I'll skip my workout and grab and treat and read. If I feel burned out from school work, I'll go on a short walk with a friend. Sometimes I simply need to open my Bible and be reminded of what God says about me. Although these don't sound super exciting, for me they make a big difference in my day. I need to fill up my joy jar (I love this) before I go serve at ESP for 2 1/2 hours or go back to studying for the rest of the night.
My hope is that you continue or start finding ways that give you the rest you need whether that's physically, emotionally, spiritually, or mentally. I've mentioned my favorite Psalm before, which is Psalm 23, because I love how it literally says "He makes me lie down in green pastures". It doesn't say he advises me to lie down in green pastures, or he asks me if I want to, but it says that he makes me. Hmmm it really seems like God wants you to do something restful today.... let's try it!
Comments