John Stanko

"How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep; A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man" - Proverbs 6:9-11.

Rest is not a right, but rather a necessity that follows performing the work that God has assigned. Rest is meant to refocus one's attention on God (and keep the work from becoming an idol) and to recharge for the work ahead. In other words, rest is to have meaning and focus and is not simply a time to do nothing. There are some who believe that doing nothing is a religious requirement and others who believe it is a God-given right. Instead, it is a time to acknowledge God's prerogative to rule schedules and work patterns, for on more than one occasion, Jesus declared Himself to be Lord of the Sabbath. Leaders should acknowledge that God has the right to determine when and how rest is to be taken and that includes the possibility that He requires some type work and worship on days that tired leaders would just as soon do nothing.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to make Jesus Lord of your rest, for He knows what is best for you and your health, creativity, and rejuvenation. That means on your 'sabbath,' He can direct you to 'work' in your church, have you visit a home for the elderly, or do family visits or other family-related activities. He can also direct you to invest your vacation time into missions or some other activity that will energize and refresh you, even though it does not involve physical rest.