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Pastor, Reorder Your Priorities – Part 3

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:31

Wayne Muller said, 'Because we don't rest, we lose our way. Poisoned by the belief that good things come only through unceasing determination and tireless effort...for want of rest our lives are in danger.' There are two kinds of 'tired.' The dissimilarity is like the difference between puffy spring rain clouds and those that precede a tornado. One is temporary and normal. It comes from a job well done and after a period of rest you bounce back. The other is a chronic inner fatigue that accumulates over months and doesn't always manifest itself in physical exhaustion. In fact, it's masked by frenetic activity and compulsive behavior: a) you can't relax over a meal or coffee b) you keep checking and rechecking your messages and emails c) your nightstand's piled high with periodicals designed to keep you 'ahead of the game' d) taking a day off seems impossible e) you don't take breaks or vacations and work every holiday f) you can't sleep g) any free time you have is spent in 'escapist behavior' like eating, drinking, spending or watching TV.

But while you're busy working hard and looking important you can lose your ability to hear the voice of the One who called you to the position initially. Sure God expects you to work hard, but not by endangering your health, your family or your time with Him. If that is where you're at today Jesus is saying, 'Let's get away...for a while and rest.' So stop what you're doing, take a break and spend some time with Him.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to take periods of rest to be with you, to regroup, to restore my energy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen