by Ellen Moore
I used to be that girl who was everywhere, all the time. Every event, every party, every sporting game, I was there. People were constantly impressed with the amount of people I knew, so I figured I had to continue on the path of meeting everyone in the world. I eventually convinced myself that if I was alone I was inadequate and worthless. ”No need to rest, people need me,” I thought. Over time, I was noticing that I wasn’t able to love anyone with full capacity. I was constantly around people but I didn’t seem effective. Someone introduced me to the concept of “resting” and the way I view and spend my time has never been the same.
You see, time can be spent in three ways:
First, intentional and work time. This tends to happen when you are in the zone, being productive and aware of the task at hand. This could include studying for a test, finishing your to-do list, working hard, and getting the job done.
Second, non-valued added time. This tends to happen when you are either bored or lazy. You don’t know what to do with your time so you fill it with meaningless things. You are not getting anything done and you are not refreshing yourself. Nothing is gained from this category.
Third, holy resting. This happens when you specifically set time apart to engage in activities that refuel you. Praying to the God who is crazy about you or reading the Bible to be reminded about what is true. Going for a bike ride, reading a book, drinking a cup of tea, or anything that fills you up and brings you joy.
Genesis 2:2-3 says, “And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.”
God went hard for 6 days and rested for 1. There was no “non-valued added” time. Every moment was intentional, including the resting. Far too often I convince myself that the busier my weeks are, the more I am accomplishing for God. Unfortunatly, that tatic always ends in burn out. I was naive to think my self worth came from going nonstop in the name of Jesus. Jesus desires us to work hard but also allow Him to refresh us, His daughters.
Christine Caine, a famous speaker and writer, once said, “It is not how much you do for God that’s going to make you burn out, it is how much you don’t do.”
My worth is not defined by what I do for God but what He has done for me.
We can not forget the essentials. We can not forget to rest. God blesses hard work and holy resting, not the time in between. God gave us 24 hours in a day for a reason. How will we spend that time?
