For years I’ve asked people, “Is it Friday yet? It’s Friday, right?!!?” This question is often a conversation starter, and you learn about the person’s perspective, mood, and whether they are outgoing (extrovert) or just having a bad hair day. Sometimes you find that today (Monday) is their Friday because it’s their last day to work a weird shift. I commiserate (sadness for me), but they rejoice. It’s Friday!
What’s so important about Friday? It’s not my holy day, but it’s often the last workday of the workweek in our present world. Life has changed this, and the workweek is as varied as there are rivers across the nation. Life happens 24 hours a day and 7 days per week. When I was young, I remember the “Blue Law” in Texas. A control mechanism limited certain purchases and store hours that had most stores closing one day over the weekend. Saturday, or Sunday, if my memory is correct. The law lasted only about 25 years, but my feeling about it was this: At least everyone got one of the days off!
Shift workers, retail, warehouse, shipping, first responders…this is too long of a list to share here, but we no longer live in a workweek followed by a free weekend. What I’ve learned, regardless of your schedule, you need to take some downtime, even if you have to forego something else to accomplish it!
For Me, It’s Monday
In my non-stop busy life, I’ve worked hard to force downtime every Monday. Sunday is a “workday” in my world, Saturday prepares for Sunday, and in the midst of it all, it will never happen if I don’t carve out the time. I know too many who thrive with candles on fire at both ends, but I’m not like that. Technology has tethered us to our world, and it’s like a lease that pulls us back when we want to go.
Today, Monday, I’m normally busy doing things I want to do and often must do. Our 9 #GSD pups are struggling to adapt to solid food, and the smells keep us running and hopping, cleaning the garage and on the porch! I have a computer that is aching to be fixed, so I’ve done it this morning and am testing it with this blog. In the meantime, I arose about 5:15 and am already feeling the stress of too many hours working on all the things life requires.
My downtime has failed me!
Before panicking, consider this concept. Sometimes the downtime is about our physical, mental, or spiritual needs. Sometimes it’s about all three! Can you tell the difference? Each one affects the other. They are intertwined. Solomon gives us some wise insight.
Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone.
A rope made of three cords is hard to break.
(Ecclesiastes 4:12 GNB)
Bring all three to bear on life, and you are nearly unbeatable!
Think About Jesus
Some say we can run 100 mph for a little while and get through the rough times faster. What I know is this:
We all need sleep so our bodies and minds can rest.
Equally, we all need downtime to do nothing when our bodies and minds are awake.
Jesus had a ministry that lasted 3.5 years, or so the bean counters say. Those first 30 years of life were full of learning and becoming the man some did not recognize and others despised. His ministry was short-lived, even though there was much to accomplish. We don’t find him taking vacations or busy with recreation. We do find that he drew away from the crowds and his disciples for some personal time.
There are several ways of looking at this. (I’m not sure why I’m focusing on the Gospel of Mark, but here goes.)
- He was so busy that he and the disciples had no time to rest. (Mark 6:31-32)
- After a busy day, early the enxt morning while it was dark, Jesus slipped into a desolate place and prayed. (Mark 1:21-35)
- Jesus had another busy day, and while crossing the Sea of Galille, he falls asleep. And he stays asleep even when a storm arrises. (Mark 4:35-41)
- But when his three closest disciples sleep during his time of anguish, Jesus asks them how could they rest when he needed them so much! (Mark 14:32-42)
Though we see the scope of his busy life and required rest periods, we also know there is a promise of rest that only comes from him.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30 KJV)
Without Rest
Everything needs to rest. Ground rests through the season so that it can produce better next year. Metal becomes fatigued without resting. Long-distance drivers know this only too well. Once stressed and fatigued, mistakes occur and are compounded worse than we can imagine.
You get the picture. We all need rest!
But here’s an important key. Don’t rest from God. He’s the cord that keeps everything else connected and tuned.