Have a Break...

 


Good morning My thought for the day today is entitled, “Have a break”. 

According to a recent Harvard Business Review, when one business woman recently did a survey with the question “how are you?” 8 out of 10 people replied “busy”[1].

Now I don’t know what sort of circles you move in, but a lot of people today are busy, busy, busy. It’s kind of ironic, because compared to our forebears, we have more labour-saving devices that can do our chores for us, we have AI that can do some of our thinking for us and we have overall better healthcare that should mean we are living longer and are more productive.

But everyone is busy. Perhaps even now you are dashing from one thing to the next. Well can I suggest one practical step. “Have a break”. No this is not an advert for a kitkat! It’s a return the the wisdom of what the Bible calls the Sabbath. In the Bible, when God created the world he had a break! After 6 days of creating, he rested. Now since He is all powerful and didn’t need to take a break, there must be a lesson there for us. If God has a day off, shouldn’t we?

Wouldn’t the world be a calmer happier place if once a week, we downed tools, stopped perhaps had a break for one day from shopping or housework, or dare I say it our screens. Maybe you say, "I have to work (or at least be busy) 7 days a week to survive. There's so much pressure". But maybe taking a break and trusting God that the rest of life is enough to do work and jobs would restore some balance to your life.  

Have a break. I've just returned from a longer break called a "Sabbatical". Ministers often are given a longer time of study and holiday every 7 years. It's the first sabbatical I've had and it was a great blessing. This world is not all that there is, and perhaps a day of rest is a good way of reminding us to slow down and look up, to the God who made us.

Let me finish with the words of Jesus Christ in speaking about the ultimate rest that he offers. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”.

Thanks for listening and have a great day!

Charlie Newcombe 14OCT26