Let’s stop and rest a while
One of the key techniques to strengthening your emotional strength as well as your physical strength is taking a sabbath rest. A sabbath rest is a day of rest from work and doing chores from home. A sabbath rest is about replenishing your energy and simply taking time out to relax one day a week. We have seven days in a week, take one day out of the seven every week, where you can simply recharge and refuel. I find that when I take my sabbath day of rest. I feel more productive and energized and able to get more things done the following week.
In the Book of Mark, Chapter 6 vs 31, Jesus advised his disciples to take some out of their schedule and rest a while because his disciples were helping so many people and they did not even have time to take a lunch or refreshment break. Does this resonate with you? Do you sometimes work a 9–5 job without breaking for lunch? With everyone working from home, due to Covid pandemic, do you find yourself working late into the evenings without stopping to make yourself dinner? I know the feeling because I have been there.
Jesus urged his disciples to find a secluded, solitary or a remote, or a quiet or place, or a place where you can be alone, to rest a while. Where is the secluded or remote or quiet place where you can go to gather your thoughts, to re-energise to rest without disturbance from anyone at home or in the outdoor spaces? A month before pandemic, in January 2020, I went to Christian retreat center for a few days to spend some time alone in prayer with God. Fortunately, the weather was crisp and beautiful, it was just nice to take some daily walks in the fresh air early this morning. I came away from the few days feeling more productive, very refreshed with clarity in my thinking and a clear purpose and direction for my life. More importantly, I was able to get both the physical and emotional rest I so badly needed. Looking back, I am thankful that I took this time out, without having any idea that the whole world will be in lockdown in six weeks later. Give yourself the gift of daily and frequent rest.
