Minister’s Blog – Summer 2017
I guess it’s at this time of year that we at least try to get some time off. But what that means for each of us will probably be very different. What helps you work, rest and play? If we listen to the famous advert our answer would be – A mars a day! Another phrase that is now part of our vocabulary and understanding is having a ‘work /life balance’. How do we juggle the demands of work- in whatever form that takes- and make time to do the things that we do to relax? How good are we at balancing the two?
I think we all recognise how increasingly busy life is becoming. Not just from things we have to do but also because we are in a 24;7 world where things are constant – whether that’s through social media, 24 hour news, being able to shop at any time of day or night or having to ‘catch up’ on hundreds of emails. Even when we do take time out we sometimes return from our holiday only to say we are ready for another one!
Jesus said ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’
How much do we need to hear and respond to these words of Jesus? Increasingly in the world there is value put on those who work longest or don’t take time off. Sometimes we are the ones who fill up our diaries with more and more things that we feel we have to do! But when God made us he designed us for rest as well as work and play.
Returning to the advert if we were to eat a mars every day what would end up happening is that we would gain weight and our teeth would decay! I would say that it’s living life with Jesus that enables us to truly work well, rest well and play well! He wants to help us to keep that balance where we can live life to the full without burning out. Where we make time to find rest in Him, time to recharge our batteries both spiritually and physically, where we view our working lives as something we do for Him and with His help.
Jesus also said ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’
Not just at this holiday time, but throughout the year I pray that we will all discover how to live this amazing, exciting life that Jesus has planned for us and will make sure we find those places of rest.
Rev. Chris Hawley
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