The Balance Between Work and Rest

Some of us possess a hero complex.  We must constantly go beyond the call of duty to the neglect of our families, personal health, and our God given ministry. Many reasons exist for such behavior (need for affirmation by others because it was lacking as a child, guilt for some wrong in past, to impress people so they drop their guard so we "the hero" can take advantage of them, and some people are simply following others thinking that workaholic behavior is normal). Although such a lifestyle is often harmful to both our family, health, and ministry, must of us mean well and we do not have evil intentions. What can we do to work hard and smart, and be pleasing to God? Jesus helps us on this one as He gave His disciples instructions after intense ministry work: Mark 6:31-32: 31 And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while."(For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)

32 They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves. Here are three simple things that help me (I followed my dad, a good man, into workaholism). 1.  Stop what you are doing and get away, and take a break (both local and far away getaways work). 2.  Learn to enjoy a sabbath rest where you stop or cease from your work and spend time with God and His people in worship, prayer, praise, fellowship, service, and Word.  We must learn to establish our sabbath day rest and keep it holy (Exodus 20:8-11).  In the New Testament Church, we do not get stuck on the day (Saturday only), but through our freedom in the resurrected Christ, we get locked in on the practice based on the principle (for many of us since churches have expanded services our Sabboth rest is more flexible and can be on Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday, and even Friday).   My point?  Get a day each week (even if it is a different day each week) and do a Sabboth rest. 3.  Listen to others who see your need to take a break and rest (Jesus did this with His disciples). The benefits are great.  We will remove built up stress, unnecessary sickness in our bodies, reduce tension in our families, and approach our God given ministry with refreshed eyes and thinking.  We will also make better decisions, and experience a higher quality of life in general. God Bless, Pastor Kennedy (MZO) Mtzionontario.com