Rest is a natural response to fatigue. After a week of hard work, people naturally crave for a weekend relaxation to shake off the “toxins” we get from work. And God’s productive workers are not exempted from this kind of situation. After big events, where a lot of our energy was sapped out, most of us often feel the need to rest.
The same thing happened to me after a major event in our church. The pressure, sleepless nights and restless days during the preparation made my body and mind so tired that I longed for a short rest from the ministry. I decided to stay at home and regain the strength I lost.
Little did I know that it was the enemy’s way to snatch from me the very fruit of the event, which is passionate worship. It was snatched away so fast that I did not notice it. I put my guard down and started relaxing too much. Somehow, a part of me knows that there’s something wrong. Yet for some reason, I chose to ignore it. And that’s how the “hole” started growing.
The rain that God showered me during the event was drained up to the last drop. I didn’t know where to begin again. I was so ashamed of myself; I didn’t know how to approach God. But the Lord is good even when our hearts change.Even when our actions don’t reflect we love Him like before. He is good even when we’re at our worst state.
What I realized during that time is, all it takes for us to go back to God is a humble heart. Go back regardless of how much shame you felt. Desire His heart again. Pride keeps us away from God, but an empty, surrendered heart before Him cuts off the gap.
There were two things I learned from this experience. First, resting isn’t bad, but let us never put our guard down.
The word of God says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
That’s his job, and your job is to protect your calling. Protect it as your most treasured possession; that you are willing to die for it. Someone died to make you worthy for that calling; never take it for granted. Secondly, I learned that from our greatest breakthrough to our most terrible setback, the God who said He will go with us will remain with us no matter what. Our weaknesses won’t change that.
God said in Isaiah 46:4, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4)
If you’re in a situation when you feel the need to rest, rest; it’s definitely okay to breathe for a while. Just never lose sight of your calling. Acknowledging the limitations of our human bodies is one way of showing God humility. Through rest, we value the gift of life that He gave us. Rest is a gift from God that must be enjoyed with wisdom. Just remember that taking excessive rest is both bad for our body and soul. May we learn to strike a balance and apply prioritization in our Christian walk. Let us rest in God’s presence.
