Rest and Repair – See. Perceive. Act.
Need a tune up, former procrastinators? As I consider the Uber driver’s analogy (Under Construction), I think of God’s wanting to “repair” us. How so?
Repair means to restore to a sound or healthy state or to fix what’s broken. Summer can be a good time for repair in our lives. We’re often physically and mentally tired by the end of the academic year. Students and teachers are eager for a break from school. Parents are eager for a break from supervising homework and maybe from rushing out the door to get everybody to the proper place. Even if some of this continues during summer, there’s a bit more relaxation in our attitude in the “off months.” We need that.
Consider these words: rejuvenate, refresh, renew, revive, invigorate. They all mean to put life into. Responsibilities, attitudes, relationships can drain us. We have human frames that give out. We need renewal so that life is put back into us. The Energizer Bunny is not a good role model.
God knew this very well when He wisely designated a weekly day of rest and designed us to benefit from that. He even demonstrated resting Himself. Jesus, here as a man, needed rest. It is counterproductive to drive ourselves to the point of exhaustion. Our thinking gets fuzzy, our bodies falter, our interactions get testy. Mistakes often result. We get more done and are nicer people when we take time out to rest.
We need rest daily, weekly, and in longer chunks. Sleep at night is critical; a nap can be a real boost. A weekly day of rest and worship lifts us. A few days away from our house or job can reset our frame of mind and provide the energy we need to work again. Remember that preparation and facilitation for “days away” often falls to moms, so factor in relief for yourself too. (Our fun family camping trips demanded a lot of my mom.)
Daily time with the Lord refreshes us. Prayer with a friend gives new life. So does lunch with a friend. He also gives us tiny refreshments that are invigorating such as the smell of freshly baked muffins or the bright grin on a child’s face. There are so many sounds in our days, sometimes we just need to sit in a room alone and experience “auditory peace” that refreshes.
Cosmetic companies claim products that rejuvenate – provide youth in a bottle. But sleep rejuvenates more thoroughly. Forgiveness gives rest but a grudge draws a mouth tight. Gratitude gives rest from covetousness. Confidence in God’s sovereignty gives rest from resentment.
The Energizer Bunny eventually stops because he’s lost all his “juice.” Don’t let yourself push that long. This summer, I pray we all find larger and smaller ways of resting that truly revive our minds, hearts, and bodies. May you be blessed with “green pastures” and “still waters.”
What will you do to rest on a regular basis?
