I gave myself this week off from my usual lengthier posting.
Why?
As a leader, it is important to model the value of pausing.
If I do not model the value of pausing, then I am not following God’s or Christ’s example.
What do I mean?
Valuing Time to Pause | Old Testament Practices
On the seventh day, after six days of creation work, God rested. (Gen 2:2)
A day off every week is the pattern set for us by the creator of the universe.
This day of rest is holy because God rested on it. (Gen 2:3)
Besides this weekly day of rest, God also introduced several festivals of celebration and rest for the Israelites to observe.
These festivals of celebration were times of fellowship and worship as a community, as well as times of remembrance.
The Hebrew Heritage Festivals:
- Passover (Ex 12:18; Lev. 23:5; Num 9:10-11)
- Unleavened Bread (Ex 12:14-20; Lev 23:6)
- First Fruits (Lev 23:9-11)
- Pentecost or Feast of Weeks (Lev 23:15-16)
- Festival of Trumpets (Lev 23:24; Num 29:1)
- Day of Atonement (Lev 16:29-34; 23:27-31)
- Feast of Booths (Lev 23:33-40)
- Feast of Dedication (John 10:22)
Valuing Time to Pause | New Testament Practices
Christ states that if we come to him, he will give us rest. (Matt 11:28)
Recognizing his disciples were exhausted, Christ instructed them to “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31)
Valuing Time to Pause | Today
Along with weekly worship services, Christians focus on celebrating Christmas in memory of Christ’s birth and Easter in memory of the risen Christ.
Most nations have national holidays that are centered on heritage as well.
For example, this past week, the United States celebrated the 4th of July, a time of remembering the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Valuing Time to Pause | Making it Personal
Napping is not something I typically do because it usually interferes with my nighttime sleep.
However, I felt I needed a nap because I was struggling to focus and felt physically drained as I contemplated what to write.
My nap lasted approximately ninety minutes.
But even after feeling physically refreshed from some extra sleep, I was still struggling to put thoughts on paper.
I then realized I needed more than just physical rest.
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, author of Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, was a featured speaker at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference I attended a couple of years ago.
Her book discusses seven types of rest: physical, mental, emotional, social, sensory, creative, and spiritual.
So, until next week, I am taking a creative break to seek fresh inspiration for my writing.
What type of rest do you need?
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn