1 of 7
Learning to Rest
Only when we let God have control of our ministries can we rest.
1 of 7
This world has nothing for me, and this world has everything. I was a football-watching freak. It was a full-fledged addiction. My typical fall weekend was structured something like this: two college football games on Saturday, approximately four hours each, two pro football games on Sundays, approximately three and a half hours each, and a Monday night football game to cap it all off. I often watched with friends, but they rarely had the stamina and endurance I had to sit, eat popcorn, and watch football. They often gave me grief about it, but I figured it was just my way to unwind and relax. I got my work done; I wasn't so addicted that I was anti-social; I didn't gamble on the games. What was wrong with it? Then one Sunday as I turned off the TV after the late afternoon game, I evaluated how I actually felt. In truth, after 15 hours of watching football over the previous two days, I was sluggish and my eyes were glazed over. All I really wanted to do after "resting" for the past two days was take a nice, long nap. I was trying to find rest in something that wasn't bad, but it didn't restore me. This realization was a bit startling at the time. I'm ashamed to say it took me several more years to shake my habit, but the realization that Sunday woke me to the bigger issue in my life: where does rest come from? For leaders, most of whom are enthusiastic and energetic, the discipline of resting is a foreign one. But to work this into your leadership journey is essential for a healthy and glad ending down the road. In Exodus 33, God promised Moses that he would be with him. God is our good; he is our life. Apart from him, there can be no eternally good thing. But in that chapter is a second promise to Moses, which touches on this key issue of rest for leaders. 12 Moses said to the LORD , "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, 'I know you by name and you have found favor with me.' 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people." 14 The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 15 Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" 17 And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name." (Exodus 33:12-17) Reckless RestIn this conversation, God promised Moses his presence and rest. Rest is a significant word for leaders. Most leaders I know, including myself, aren't good at resting. We haven't worked out the spiritual discipline the way Scripture invites us to. Our culture holds out all sorts of promises for rest, but it simply can't give the soul-caliber rest that God promised Moses. |             |
share this page
