As you may have noticed I’ve taken a few days off from posting to the blog. Many people take advantage of their income tax refund during this time of year to buy some much needed furniture for their home. With the uncertainties concerning the federal government (who went through a shutdown at the beginning part of the year), the timing of “tax season” varies, but once it starts it is fast and furious. It begins abruptly and just like that after a few weeks it is over. This year was a little more challenging as my team was a little short handed requiring me to work 20 days with 1 day off. Going that long without a break is physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually challenging. I don’t recommend it. In fact rest is an important life principle that cannot be overlooked.
The Bible teaches the principle of the Sabbath (Hebrew for “rest”). In fact, the very beginning pages of the Bible, Genesis chapter 1 describe how God created the world in six days, and on the seventh day He “rested.” Later, the entire Hebrew week would revolve around a work/rest cycle. Every seventh day would be dedicated to rest, no work would be done. I know maybe in our time and culture we look at that and say that’s a little skimpy-I mean, shouldn’t we have a five-day workweek, or four-day workweek? Think about it from the time period, however. The ancient peoples were agrarian in nature-completely dependent upon either raising crops or raising a herd. Life was hard. Living hand to mouth you didn’t really get a day off from survival. The idea of a sabbath, then, was a revolutionary principle in living by faith. The very God that designed us, also designed us to take time out to recharge spiritually and physically.
In our world of impending status alerts, updates, text messages, and the like, be sure to take time for rest. Take a day off. Use your vacation. Plan for it!