“According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens a man noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at Aesop, asking him why he wasted his time in such frivolous activity. Aesop responded by picking up a bow, loosening its string, and placing it on the ground. Then he said to the critical Athenian, ‘Now, answer the riddle, if you can. Tell us what the unstrung bows implies.’ The man looked at it for several moments but had no idea what point Aesop was trying to make. Aesop explained, ‘If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it.’”[1]
Want to know the number one reason for burnout, fatigue, and lack of interest in labor? Want to know why people quit, lose their zeal, and become tired all of the time? Want to know the cure for apathy and the above? Rest!
Resting is a Biblical concept. God was said to have rested after the six days of creation (Genesis 2:2). Divine beings do not grow weary (Isaiah 40:28), so this resting denotes cessation. However, the concept of rest is still there—even God ceased from doing something! The Sabbath day was weekly scheduled as a day of rest (Exodus 23:12) and every seven years the land had rest (Leviticus 25:4). The Sabbath was for man’s benefit (cf. Mark 2:27).
On one occasion after the disciples were busy teaching, they returned to Jesus and explained all of the things they had done. After their arrival, Jesus said “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). Jesus surely valued rest, for He himself slept (Matthew 8:24). If God and Jesus value rest, it must be important. What do we learn about rest and the importance of it?
Resting Only Comes After Labor.
It was the disciples who had first “done” and “taught” (Mark 6:30). They were busy with the Lord’s work. Resting should always follow work, it should never replace it. Technically one does not rest from something he never did. Lazy people have no reason to rest. Christians that deserve rest are first:
Laborers.
Teachers.
Elders.
Deacons.
Preachers.
Evangelizers.
Organizers.
John said that the dead in the Lord rest “from their labors” (Revelation 14:13). If Christians are not busy for the Lord, they have no reason to rest. But if we are doing our best for the Lord, always staying busy for Him and His cause, we should take time to rest.
God Wants His People to Rest.
Jesus invited His disciples to “rest.” He knew the value rest had in the lives of His workers. He knew that without rest, work would not be as effective. Jesus understood human frailty. Truly, the body needs rest. What type of rest do Christians need?
Physical rest. David’s body became weary after fighting the Philistines (2 Samuel 21:15) and Jesus was wearied from His journey (John 4:6). Take naps, sit down, or cease from labor for the day. If the body is worn down, excellent labor for the Lord may be hindered. Dr. Talmage said “I have observed that they who do not know how to rest do not know how to work.”
Mental rest. Mental anguish is often more painful than physical anguish. Christians often need mental breaks. It is the mind that controls the body, so rest your mind. Perhaps you will:
Take a vacation.
Walk on a trail.
Listen to music.
See a reputable therapist.
Mental stress can cause the heart to stoop (Proverbs 12:25). Taking breaks will help. If one’s mental weariness begins to show, it is good to stop and see what you can do to be mentally ready to serve God again.
Social rest. Socialization is often medicine for drooping hearts, but too much of it can cause tiredness. Jesus Himself had to go away at times by Himself (Mark 1:35; John 6:15). People can sometimes be the reason for our tiredness. Know your limits and take time for yourself. The disciples “departed into a desert place by ship privately” (Mark 6:32). While it is always good to associate with brethren, there is such a thing as “wearing out your welcome” (Proverbs 25:16-17).
Sometimes working too hard can cause a man to be overwhelmed. If you find yourself taking on too many tasks, recruit others to help (Exodus 18:17-18). Do not be afraid to call upon others. If you find your work production lacking, take a well-deserved break. God deserves full effort, but constant full throttle can hurt the engine. “The Red Baron and his counterparts in World War I flew planes that were not equipped with throttles for slowing down or speeding up. As you can imagine constant full speed took its toll on the life of the engines, and takeoffs and landings were always an adventure. Veteran missionary pilot, Bob Griffin, described those WWI aircraft in his book, Cleared for Takeoff. In contrast to those planes, Bob flew an aircraft with a throttle and a tough Lycoming engine that came with these instructions: ‘Takeoff power [full power] may be used for only a maximum of 5 minutes.’”[2]
Rest Should Never Be Permanent.
Jesus qualified the rest He suggested to “a while.” It was not long after, that Jesus would teach and would provide food for the thousands, with the help of His disciples (Mark 6:34-44). Israel had one Sabbath day, not two. While rest is important, work is more important. Rest is for recharging the battery. Permanent resting shows laziness, but those who use rest as an aid, work better.
Rest is an important part of work. Without rest, one may grow to despise his or her job for the Lord. With rest, one begins to miss the busyness, allowing him to exert excellent effort for the Lord. God values rest and ultimately, we will rest eternally from our labor on earth (Hebrews 4:9-11). But, since we do not have that privilege yet, let us appreciate the opportunities to rest so that we may ever grow “fervent in spirit” (Romans 12:11).
Endnotes
[2]Bobby Stafford.
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