I want to just continue with this thought from Takunda last week...
The Christmas season can be so crazy, and the build up to Christmas can be crazier than the day itself, but we have to make intentional gaps in our schedules to rest.
So many scriptures talk about Jesus resting (Luke 5:15-16; Mark 1:35; Mark 6:31-32; Mark 2:27), Him sleeping(Mark 4:35-40). But please note: rest does not just mean sleeping! Rest can be going for a quiet walk, rest can be watching some telly, it can also be baking or cooking or doing something else that you love. You'll need to figure that out for yourself though.
I read this devotion this morning, by Nicky Gumbel, that I thought was appropriate:
"There is great power in example. It is hard to improve if we have no other model than ourselves to follow. A good example is not only inspirational, it also gives us a pattern to copy and learn from.
Not only do you benefit most from following the example of others, but your example is vital if you are to have any influence on other people. Albert Schweitzer, the French theologian, philosopher and physician said, ‘Example is not the main thing in influencing others – it is the only thing.’ More depends on your walk than on your talk, what you practice than what you preach, what you do than what you say.
What people see is far more important than what they hear. People do what people see. As John Maxwell writes, ‘Eighty-nine per cent of what people learn comes through visual stimulation; ten per cent through audible stimulation and one per cent through other senses... What they hear they understand. What they see they believe!’"
When it comes to rest we probably don't do too well with it because the people around us don't do it well either. But maybe you can be the teacher and lead your family and friends in to a time of learning to rest better from the best teacher on rest: Jesus.
Please take the time to listen to your body, mind and spirit and don't take this opportunity to rest for granted.
-Caryn
Commentaires