make sure that we leave room for rest

The following was gleaned from the Sept. 2005 devotional, On The Right Note.

Listen: "God ... rested from all his work." How come God took time off but you don't? Think maybe you know something He doesn't? Think again! Most of us take ourselves far too seriously! We dress up in business suits and speak in carefully modulated voices. We avoid missing deadlines as if the world would end if we’re late, or making a mistake, or needing to ask someone else for assistance. We get caught in the trap of only focusing on the next acquisition, customer order, completed contract or promotional achievement. And what’s the result? We become rigid, legalistic and brittle. We lose our sense of humor, or willingness to ask for forgiveness, and our ability to extend grace to others. One of the best ways of keeping perspective on what’s truly important, is to make sure that we leave room for rest and recreation in our lives. What do you do for fun? Nothing? That’s not good! Rest and recreation help restore your creativity, fuel your vision, and bring balance to your work-lopsided world.

This is usually one of the most neglected areas of our lives. We think we don’t have enough time for fun. Wrong! You don’t have enough time without it! No one on their deathbed wished for more time to file reports, empty in-boxes, grade papers, or attend meetings. Without exception, we wish we’d taken more time to stroll in the park, tickle our kids on the living room floor, or enjoy that family vacation we always talked about but never got to. The trouble with “tomorrow” is-it never comes!