Meditation for Perfectionists – Friday August 12, 2022

Stopping To Rest

Genesis 2:2-3: “…God had finished the work he had been doing…he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”

“My doctor says I must take a day off each week to rest. He says that if I don’t, I will almost certainly experience total physical and emotional exhaustion,” commented the youth pastor of a large metropolitan church. “But I don’t see how I can manage that. I just don’t have time to take off.”

Many of us identify with this overworked pastor. We believe that we do not have time to rest and relax. One of the burnout warning signs is the attitude that “I’ve got to keep going. I can’t stop now. I’m on a roll. I can do it. I don’t need to rest.” But if we do not pace ourselves; if we do not stop to rest, eventually we will burnout. The risk is great.

God rested after he completed the seventh day of creation. He rested not because he was tired, but to set an example for us. Stopping to rest is acceptable with God. It does not make us any less valuable or worthwhile to admit that we need to cease working and creating to rest. God loves us when we work, when we rest, and when we play.

Lord God, change my misconceptions
about accomplishments, relaxation, and recreation.
Please teach me how to live a balanced life.

Copyright Joan C. Webb

For more from Joan Webb visit www.joancwebb.com