COMEASIDE
…andrestawhile
byPennClark
HowtoFindSpiritualRenewalinRestingandRetreating
UneditedMaster––updated12-2016
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COMEASIDE
…andrestawhile
2017©CopyrightbyPennClark
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ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
PennandHeatherClarklefttheirnativeCanadawithamissionaryvisatohelpstartachurchin
northernNewYork,wheretheypastoredformorethantwenty-oneyears.PennformedWord
ofGraceNetwork,anapostolicfellowshipoflike-mindedministerscommittedtoworld
missions,raisingupthenextgenerationofleaders,andequippingotherstoadvancethe
KingdomofGod.TheLordhassentPenntosomeoftheneediestplacesonEarthwherehehas
taughtandtrainedleaders,helpedstartchurches,andenabledthepoortohelpthemselves.
TheClarksliveinPennYan,wheretheypastorWellSpringFellowshipinthebeautifulFinger
LakesregionofNewYorkState.TolearnmoreaboutPenn,gotowww.penn-clark.comorfind
himonFaceBook.
Therearemanydifferentkindsofsmithsintheworld.Thereareblacksmiths,tinsmiths,
andgoldsmiths,butwhatvocationcanbehigherthantobeabletospendone’slifeworking
withwords?Wordscanbewroughtinsuchawayastochangeanindividual’slife.Beyond
this,considertheenormousprivilegeofspendingalifetimehandlingGod’sWord,which
transformsandenricheslives.Furthermore,itinspiresustoloveGodforalleternity.What
canbemorevaluablethanthatwhichhasbeenwroughtbyGod’sWord?
WordsmithStudyNoteswereoriginallywrittenforthoseinourlocalchurchwhowerein
leadershiporwerepreparingfortheministry.Intime,Ibegantoprinttheminanewsletter
format,sendingthemouttovariouschurchleadersandthosewhoprayedformyministry.
Whentheinternetbecameavailable,Idecideditwouldbemoreexpedienttopublish
Wordsmithonline.Overtheyears,thishasbeenaprovenwaytoinvestinthelivesofthose
whoareinministryorarebeingtrainedforit.
Witheveryblessing,PennClark
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TABLEOFCONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
PARTONE:COMEASIDE
PARTTWO:THEWORKOFRESTING
PARTTHREE:REMEMBERINGTOBREATHE
PARTFOUR:PARABLEOFCHERRYLANE
PARTFIVE:QUESTIONSANDANSWERS
REFERENCENOTES
ADDENDUMONE:MYSPIRITUALCHECK-UPLIST
ADDENDUMTWO:BUDGETINGOURTIME
ADDENDUMTHREE:LINKSTOWEBSITE
JESUSLEDTHEMINTOLEISURE
Thedisciples,returningfromatimeofoutreach,wereexcitedtotellJesusallthattheyhad
doneandsaid.Afterlisteningtothem,Jesusnotedthattheyhadn’thadtimetoeatandthat
therewerealotofpeoplearound,soHedirectedthemintoaboatandledthemawayfromthe
busyness,intoawildernessplace.Hesaid,
Comeasidebyyourselvestoasecludedplaceandrestawhile.”Forthereweremanypeople
comingandgoing,andtheyhadnotimeforleisureoreventohaveachancetoeat.Sothey
wentbyboattoawildernessplacetobealonewiththeLord(Mark6:30-32myparaphrase).
Thisisaninterestingsectionofscripture,notonlybecauseitprovidesthepropermotivefor
retreatingbutgivesusthepermissionfromJesustodoso.
NoticeJesusdidn’ttellthemto“goaside,”butHesaid,“comeaside.”Heledthem.Hetook
them.Heevenchoseasecludedplaceforthemtobeabletogetawayfrompeople,eatagood
mealortwo,andhaveatimeofleisureorrest.
Hewantstodothesamethingwithustoday.
Jesusisnotopposedtoleisure.Hedoesnotmindusgoingsnowmobilingortakingtimetogo
fishingorgolfing.Hewillevenprovidethesethingsforus,ifweareputtingtheKingdomfirst.
Onoccasion,Ihavenoticedagentleproddinginmyhearttostopministeringforawhilein
ordertocomeaside.Iwillsometimestakeanaimlessroadtripwithmycameraorgocamping
onadesertedstretchofbeachwhereIcanwatchthesunriseandset.Itusuallyinvolvesafew
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simplemeals,whicharegoodforthesoul.Afterdoingthisforatime,Healwaysspeakstome
andministerstomyinner-mostneeds.
Inordertokeepabalancedlife,wemustlearntoretreat,shutdown,getawayfromitall.If
weareinthepeoplebusiness,weneedtohavesomeguilt-freetimeawayfrompeople.
ThereisastoryinthegospelsofJesusdividinguptheteam,takingonlythreeofthemwith
Himonapersonalretreat:
“NowaftersixdaysJesustookPeter,James,andJohnhisbrother,ledthemuponahigh
mountainbythemselves;andHewastransfiguredbeforethem.Hisfaceshonelikethesun,and
Hisclothesbecameaswhiteasthelight”(Matthew17:1-2).
MountTaboristheonlymountainnearNazareth.Infact,itsitsrightinthebackyardof
whereJesusgrewup.IimagineHeclimbeditmanytimes.Taborlookslikesomeonetooka
bowlandflippeditoveronaflattable.It’saperfectlyroundmountainonaflatplain.When
lookingupfromthebaseofit,itappearsthatitwouldbeadifficultclimb,asthesidesare
almoststraightup.Youmighthavetohaulyourselfup,graspingonetreeafteranother.Today,
thereisaroadtothetop,butitstillwouldbeagreatplacetogetawayfrompeople.
ThesethreediscipleswouldneverseeJesusthesameafterthisretreat.Theyhadawhole
newrevelationofHimfromthattimeon.Itwasachallengingretreatineveryway,butwellworththehike.
Jesuswasinthepeoplebusiness,yetHeoftenworkedatgettingalone:
Jesusoftenwithdrewintothewildernesstopray:
However,thereportwentaroundconcerningHimallthemore;andgreatmultitudescame
togethertohear,andtobehealedbyHimoftheirinfirmities.SoHeHimselfoftenwithdrewinto
thewildernessandprayed(Luke5:15,16).
SometimesHeprayedallnight:
NowitcametopassinthosedaysthatHewentouttothemountaintopray,andcontinuedall
nightinprayertoGod(Luke6:12).
HegotHisdirectioninprayer,notfrompressure:
Atevening,whenthesunhadset,theybroughttoHimallwhoweresickandthosewhowere
demon-possessed.Andthewholecitywasgatheredtogetheratthedoor.ThenHehealedmany
whoweresickwithvariousdiseases,andcastoutmanydemons;andHedidnotallowthe
demonstospeak,becausetheyknewHim.Nowinthemorning,havingrisenalongwhilebefore
daylight,Hewentoutanddepartedtoasolitaryplace;andthereHeprayed.AndSimonand
thosewhowerewithHimsearchedforHim.WhentheyfoundHim,theysaidtoHim,“Everyone
islookingforYou.”ButHesaidtothem,“Letusgointothenexttowns,thatImaypreachthere
also,becauseforthispurposeIhavecomeforth(Mark1:32-38).
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LIVINGABALANCEDLIFE
Jesus’ministrystruckabalancebetweenworkinghardandcomingasidetorest.Wemustdo
thesame.HereiswhatIseeasabalancedlife:
- Abalancedlifeincludestimeforwork,family,fellowship,andfunwithfriends.
- Abalancedlifeswingsbetweenfaithandfun-toomuchfocusoneitheroneisnot
balanced.
- Abalancedlifeswingsbetweenbeingaloneandbeingwithpeople.Itisnoteasyto
managebothoftheseintherightproportion.Toomuchalonetimeisnotgood,noris
toomuchtimewithpeople.
- Wemustwork,butthereismoretolifethanjustwork.Thereisalsomoretolifethan
ministry.Ifwedon’thavefellowshiporfun,wewillfeelfruitlessnomatterhowmuch
workwedo.
- Solomonfeltthatitwasawastetoworkandnottastethegoodthingsthatcomefromit.
Workisnottheend;itisthemeanstoanend.
Itislikeaneagle,whomountsupwithexertionandthenrestsonthecurrentsbeneathits
wings.It’snotallmountingupnorisitallsoaring.Abalancebetweenthetwoiswhatwemust
strivetowardsifwearegoingtogothedistanceandclimbtheheights.
THEGREATTENSION
TheapostlePaulwasabusyman.Hewasinthepeoplebusinessand,attimes,alsoanactual
businessman.Itisnote-worthytoreadwhathesaysaboutfindingbalanceinourlives:
Bediligentinyourwork,ferventinspirit,servingtheLord(Romans12:11).
Thislittlelineaddressesabigtensioninourlives.Wemustworkhardandbediligentinour
business,evenifourministryisour“business”.ThispleasestheLordandfulfillssomething
deepinourownsouls.Atthesametime,weareexpectedtobeferventinspiritor,aswemight
saytoday,“beonfire”.
TheKingJamesVersionrendersthisverseas,“…notslothfulinbusiness;ferventinspirit;
servingtheLord.”
TheMessagetranslationaddsanadditionalinsight,saying,
“Don’tburnout;keepyourselvesfueledandaflame.BealertservantsoftheMaster,cheerfully
expectant.”
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Thismeansthatitispossibletohavethefireinourheartsthatcausesspiritualpassionto
burnwithinus,andtobediligentinourwork.YouandIknowthatwecanusuallyfindpeople
whoaregoodatoneortheother,butitisnoteasytofindsomeonewhohasbothofthesein
balanceatthesametime.Somearediligentintheirbusiness,withastrongworkethicand
goodsenseofwhatittakestoreallyaccomplishsomething,butwouldnotbeabletoput“full
ofzeal”or“onfire”intheirresume.Thentherearethosewhoareonfire,butyouwould
probablynotwanttohirethem.Theyusuallydonothavemuchordertotheirlives,andmay
notfollowthroughwithwhatyouaskthemtodobecausetheyarealwaysbeingledhitherand
yon.Itisnoteasytofindsomeonewhoisonfireandalsowhoknowshowtoshowupontime.
Thekey,Ibelieve,tofindingthisbalanceisin“servingtheLord”.ThismeanslettingJesusbethe
Lordofourlivesandwork.ItmeanslisteningtoHim,takingourdirectionsfromHimandnot
doingwhatwewantwithoutHisapproval.Itmeansseeingourworkorbusinessasourministry,
bringingitbeforeHimforHisinputsoHecanbringorder,discipline,andbalancetoourlives.
WhenwehearfromHim,ourlivesbegintocomeintoorderandtakeshape.Weareableto
completewhatwestartandbecomemorefruitful.
ASSIGNMENTS
-Solomonfeltthatitwasgrievoustohissoultoworkallthetimeandnottastethegoodthings
thatcamefromhiswork.ReadthebookofEcclesiastesannuallytomaintainproperperspective
onyourlife.
-Writeoutthethingsthatareonyourmind.Justthissimpleactalonecanhelpclearyourhead.
-Getridofthephysicalclutter.Ifyouhavenotuseditinthepastyear,getridofit.Someone
said,“Themoreyouhave,thelessthereisofyou.”Getridofstuff.
FINDINGSTILLWATER
Duringthetwenty-twoyearsthatIpastoredalocalchurchinthefoothillsoftheAdirondacks,I
oftensoughtoutplacestoretreatandrestinthebeautifulsettingsfoundinupstateNewYork.
Thisaddedlifetomylifeandgavemetheenduranceforalongseasonofministryandmission
work.
OneaspectofmypastoralministrythatIreallyenjoyedwasleadingpeopleintodifferent
kindsofretreatssotheycouldgetalonewiththeLord.Thisrangedfromall-nightprayer
meetingstocampingtripsforouryoungpeople.ItincludedretreatsatoldcampsformyCare
GroupLeaders,tostaffmeetingsatalodgeonBeaverLake.Noteveryoneistheoutdoorstype,
sosometimesweevenretreatedatahotel.Onetime,wejustallspentanover-nightata
nearbyhouse,lessthanamilefromourhome,whichwasnotonlycosteffective,butillustrated
thefactthatitisnotalwaysaboutthelocation,wejusthaveaneedtocomeaside.
IhadjuststartedtolearnhowtocomeasideformyselfwhenIbeganinvitingotherpastors
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tocomewithme.IwouldtellthemabouttheuniqueplacesIhadfound,withmilesofnatural
beacheswheretheycouldwalkandtalktotheLord,withoutanyonehearingthem.Onlythe
deerlooktoseewhoissingingintheirbackyard.Iwouldtellthemaboutlyingonadeserted
stretchofbeachatnight,underastar-ladensky,withafishingpolestuckinthesand,catching
bull-headsforbreakfast.IwouldtellthemhowtheLordwouldmeetwithme,speakingwith
me,andcausingmyBibletocomealiveagain.One-by-one,theybegantosignupforthiskind
ofretreat.
AsIsharedwithotherswhatIwaslearningaboutcomingaside,Inoticedthattheyrarely
tooktheinitiativetoretreatlikethisontheirown,butwantedtocomewithme.Whatthey
neededwasan“outfitter”.Sointhissense,Jesusbecomesouroutfitter.
IcanrememberthefirstyearItookacoupleofpastorswithmeforfivedaysonStillwater,a
beautifulman-madelakeupintheAdirondacks.Onepastorwasprettyburnedout.Whatever
hegotfromtheLordonthistripwasgoingtodecidewhetherhewouldcontinueinministryor
not.HereallyneededtohearfromGod.Theotherpastorwassimplytiredandjustwantedtime
alonewiththeLord.Asformyself,Iwasindeepspiritualwarfare,havingsomeseriousconflict
withoneofourdenomination’sleaders.IneededtohearfromGod,too.
Theweatherwasperfectandwehadtheplacetoourselves.Withalittleimagination,you
couldputyourselfonadesertedislandsomewhereelseintheworld.Weatetwogoodmealsa
dayandhadabucketfulloffruitforsnackingon.Wehaddecidedbeforewesetoutthatwe
wouldnottalkwitheachotherduringtheday.Wewouldonlytalktogetheratmealtimesand
afterthesunwentdown.Thenwewouldspreadoutatarponthebeach,stretchoutunderthe
starsandtelleachotherwhatwasgoingoninourlives.Sometimeswejusttalkedaboutwhat
bookswewerereadingortold"HolyGhost"storiesaroundthefire.
ThefirstcoupleofdaystheLorddidnotspeaktoanyofusinaprofoundway.Sowerelaxed
abitmoreandjusttriedtounwind.Ispenttimereadinginahammockandwalkingthe
beaches.Isat,walked,andlaidbeforetheLord.Itriedtoclearmyheadbywritinginmy
journal.Onepastordisappearedintothewoods,onlycomingoutattheendofeachday.The
otherpastorputteredaroundcamp,readoldwesternnovels,andcanoedabit.
ThentheLordspoketome,tellingmethatHewantedtospeaktomethatweekina
significantway.ThisthrilledmeandputanewexpectationinmyhearttohearfromHim.About
thefourthday,theonepastorcametrompingoutofthewoods,wavingsheetsofpaperwith
joy,tellingusthattheLordhadjustspokentohim.Heranonthestrengthofthatbitof
directionforalongtime.Theotherpastorjustseemedtobeatpeacewithhimselfandwas
goingforwardwithrenewedfaith.IhadnotheardmuchmorefromtheLord,butknewIwould
beforeIleftthelakethenextday.
Theweatherhadbeenperfectallweek,butonthelastdayastormrolledinanditbecame
windierthanusual.Weateourfinalmeal,brokecamp,andloadedourcanoes.Stillwaterwas
nowfilledwithwhitecapsandwehadaboutsevenmilesofpaddlingaheadofus.Wewerenot
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seasonedcanoeistssowehuggedtheshoreasweleanedintothewind.Asweapproachedthe
mostdifficultpartofthetrip,whichwasawideexpansethatoftentookwindfromtwo
directionsatthesametime,wesawothercanoeistscomingtowardus.Thesewereweekend
camperswiththeircanoesloadedtothebrim.Wewatchedassomeoftheircanoestipped
over,spillingalltheirstuff.WhileIwasprayingthatGodwouldspareusthesamefate,theLord
tooktheopportunitytospeaktome.HeoverwhelmedmewithHisloverightthereinthe
middleofthestorm.HespoketomeofHisloveformeinawaythatreallybrokesomething
me.IknewthatIwasnotgoingtosinkinthecanoeorintheproblemsthatIwasfacinginmy
ministry.
ItwasnotuntilIhadbeenhomeaweekorsothatIrealizedhowmuchthatweekhad
impactedme.Godusedthesolitude,nottalking,thelongwalks,andhammocktimetorestore
mysoul.Itooktimetosortoutmylifeandprioritiesinmyjournal,clearingmyheadofallthe
clutter,andwasabletoraisemyvoiceinprayer,alllife-givingthingstodo.Thishadareal
effectonmeforalongtime.
IthasbeenaboutthirtyyearssincethatfirsttripuponStillwater.Numerouspastorshave
gonewithmesincethen;someconsiderthisoneofthehighlightsoftheiryear.Wefollowthe
samepatternofnottalkingtoeachotherduringtheday.Someyoungerguyshavejoinedthe
groupandourlocationhaschanged,butitisstillarichtimetocomeasidetobewiththeLord.
Oneyoungpastortoldthegroupthatthefivedaystogetherhadbeenmorebeneficialthanan
entireyearofBibleschool.
Ithasaddedlifetoourspirituallives.
JESUSWASNOTAFAIR-WEATHERCHRISTIAN
WhenretellingthestoryofJesuswalkingonthewater,wetendtofocusonthemeninthe
boat,whoarebeingtossedaroundbythelife-threateningstorm.Asthisstoryistoldandretold,
werarelyconsiderwhereJesuswasduringthissametime.Here’swhatMatthew14:22-23tells
us,
ImmediatelyJesusmadeHisdisciplesgetintotheboatandgobeforeHimtotheother
side,whileHesentthemultitudesaway.AndwhenHehadsentthemultitudesaway,
HewentuponthemountainbyHimselftopray.Nowwheneveningcame,Hewas
alonethere.
AfterHehadpushedthedisciplesoffearlierthatafternoon,Hehikedupthebarrenhills
overlookingtheSeaofGalilee.There,Hespenttherestofthedayaloneinprayer.Hecame
downtowherethediscipleswereduringthethirdwatchofthenight,whichliessomewhere
betweenthreeandsixinthemorning.WherewasHetherestofthetime?Remember,itis
reallystorming.Yetinspiteoftherain,wind,andcold,Jesuswasaloneinprayer.Inother
words,Heisnota“fair-weatherChristian”whoonlyspendstimewiththeFatherifthe
conditionsarejustrightorifHeisgoingtobecomfortable.
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WhenJesusfinallycameoutofthehillstotheseashore,Hejustkeptonwalking.Idon’t
thinkHestoodthere,wonderingifHecouldwalkonwaterornot.IthinkHewassodeepin
prayerthatHejustkeptonwalking.Infact,thescripturessaythatHewouldhaveevenwalked
pastthediscipleshadtheynotbeenscreamingtheirheadsoff.Perhaps,beingoutthereonthe
stormyseawasoneofthefewplacesHecouldfinallyreallygetalone.Atleastnoonefollowed
Him,right?
HowfarwillyougotobealonewiththeFather?Rainorshine?Sleetorsnow?Ihavefound
thatthemoredifficultthelocationistogettoandtheworsetheconditionsare,thebetterthe
retreat.Itdoessomethingtoopentheporesofoursoultospiritualthings.
Yearsago,ItookagroupofpastorscampingforaweekonanislandintheAdirondacks.We
happenedtohittheEquinox,whichistherainyseasonthatusuallycomeslateinthefallofthe
year.Thisiswhenitrainsthehardestandheaviest,andit’scoldtoboot!Iworriedaboutthe
moraleofthemenaswepaddledacrosstheroughwaterjustbeforedark.
Webeachedthecanoesandunloadedoursuppliesbeforesettingupourtents.Ihad
providedmostofthetents,whichtheyhadneverseenbefore.Infact,mostofthemwerenot
intocamping,sothiswasreallyroughingit.Thetentsweredarkgreenincolor,almostblack,
andbythetimewestartedsettingthemup,itwascompletelydarkout.Anditwasreally
raininghard,andtheretheywere,puttinguptheirdarktents,inthedark...withaflashlight
clenchedintheirteeth.Thatwashowtheretreatstarted,anditgotworsefromthere.Itrained
hardandsteadyallweek,exceptbathday,whenitsnowed.Yet,aswehaverecountedthis
storytogetherthroughtheyearsatothercampouts,weallagreethatthiswasoneofthebest
timesweeverhadseekingtheLord.Perhaps,thehardertheconditions,themorewegetoutof
it.
Jesusisourexampleinthisalso,goingfarbeyondwhatmostofthetelevisionsurvivalguides
couldendure.OnetimeHespentfortydaysandnightsinthewilderness,withoutfoodor
water,surroundedbywildanimals,andencounteringthedevilhimself:
ThenJesuswasledupbytheSpiritintothewildernesstobetemptedbythedevil.And
whenHehadfastedfortydaysandfortynights,afterwardHewashungry(Matthew
4:1-2).
AndHewasthereinthewildernessfortydays,temptedbySatan,andwaswiththewild
beasts;andtheangelsministeredtoHim(Mark1:13).
INSPIRINGTHEDISCIPLES
HowdidMatthewknowthisstoryinordertowriteaboutit?Hegivessomanydetailsaboutthe
SpiritleadingJesusintothewildernessforfortydayswithoutfood,thedeviltalkingtoJesus,
takingHimintoJerusalemtothetemplerooftopand,afterthebattle,theangelscomingto
comfortHim.HowdidMatthewknowthiswhennoonewastheretoseeit?Jesusmusthave
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toldthedisciplesaboutit.(MostscholarsbelieveMarklearnedthedetailsforhisgospelfrom
theapostlePeter)Icaneasilyimaginethediscipleslayingaroundthecampfireatnight,asJesus
begantotellthemaboutwhathappened.Idon’tbelieveHedidthistoboast,buttoinspire
themtotakepersonalretreatsinordertocomeintomoreofthepowerofGod.Thewilderness
istheplacewheremenandwomenofGodareformed.Itisahardplace,butHeshowsusthat
itworksoutintheendandpeoplewillbenefitfromthepowerwefindthere.Manypeople
wantmorepowerbutresistbeingledtotheplacewheretheycangetit.Hewillleadus,ifwe
willletHim.
Icannothelpbutwonderifthereisn’taconnectiontoourlackofpowerandourpenchant
forseekingthecomfortablespot,takingtheeasyroad,andlivingalifeoflimitedrisk?Ifyou
haveacallonyourlife,youwillnotgetmuchinthewayoftheimpartationyoucraveorthe
releaseinpoweryoulongforbydoingbusinessasusual.Youwillhavetocreatespaceinyour
lifetocomeasidetoseektheLordsothatyoucanbecomebraidedtogetherwithHim.Itisthen
thatyoubecomealignedwithHispurposes.
(Readmoreaboutthisinmybook“WelcometotheWilderness”)
WHATISYOURBURNINGBUSH?
InExodus3,wearetoldthattherewasadaythatstartedjustasanyotherdayinthelifeof
Moses.Hewasbusyworking,tendinghisfather-in-law’sflock,whenhenoticedsomething
reallyunusual.Therewasabushburninginthewilderness,yetashestudieditcarefully,he
noticedthatitwasnotconsumed.Hesaidtohimself,“Whyisn’tthatbushburningup?Imust
getcloserandseewhatthisis.”Sohelefthisflock,turningasidedeeperintothewildernessto
seethisunusualsight.
TheauthorofExodusnotedthatoncetheLordsawthatHehadMoses’attention,Hespoke
tohimfromthebush.(Exodus3:4)IbelievethattheLordknewwhatitwouldtaketoget
Mosestocomeaside.
HowdoestheLordcaptureyourattentionsothatyouleaveyourbusylifeandcomeaside?
Whatisyourburningbush?
Forsomeitmaybeaninteresttheyhaveincampingorhiking,orseeingadifferentpartof
thecountry.Often,theLordusesourcuriosityandournaturalinteresttogetustocomeaside.
ThenHespeakstous,revealingHiswill,Hispurposeforourlives,andHisheart.
TheretreatsItakepeopleonarebasedonthisverysimplepremise.Mostpeoplewillnotgo
offbythemselvestoseektheLord.However,Ihavefoundthatiftheyareinvitedtogowith
me,somewillleavetheirbusylivestodoit.TheLordthencapitalizesonthisopportunityto
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speaktothem.
Afewyearsago,Iwantedthemeninourchurchtogoicefishing.Ihadhadsuchagood
experiencewithit,bothintermsofthefishingandthefellowship.TheLordwarmedmyheart
withHiswordasIsatontheicewithanotherpastorfriend.Iwantedthemeninourchurchto
experiencethissamekindofthing,buttheywerenotinterested.Alltheycouldthinkofwas
howcolditwouldbe.
Themanwhowashelpingmeorganizetheretreathadgoneupafewdaysbeforetoscout
outthelocation.Hetoldmethattheicehadfrozensoquickly,itwasasclearascrystal.Hesaid
hecouldseethesandybottom,withalltheweedsandrocksclearlythroughthethickice.Ashe
stoodthere,aschoolofsmallfishswamaimlesslyby,rightunderhisfeet.Whatasight!Thenall
ofasudden,theydartedawayasiftheywereallbeingjerkedbythesamewire.Ashe
wonderedatthis,alargefishcamecruisinginjustbeneathhisfeet.Whenhetoldmethisstory,
itcapturedmyimagination.ThenexttimeImadetheannouncementfortheice-fishingday,I
toldthisstory.Allkindsofmenandboyssignedup.Itwasourbiggestturnoutever.Itwasour
burningbush.
Thelocationortheleisurewepursueisnotthemainfocus;itisonlytheburningbushthat
helpscaptureourattention.Onceweleaveourbusylives,italwaysamazesmetoseehow
readilytheLordspeakstoeachheartinsomeway.That’sthehighergoal.
REASONSTORETREAT
Herearefivereasonsweneedtocomeasideordoapersonalretreat:
1.TOFINDGUIDANCE:Ifyouarefacingbigdecisions,youwillnotgetmuchguidance“onthe
go”.IfyouwanttheLord’sin-put,youwillhavewaitonHimforit.Peopleoftenprayablanket
prayer,askingthatGod’swillbedone,hopingHewillblesstheirbestefforts.Then,whentheir
livesbecometoocobbleduportheyareburnedout,theyfeeltheymustquiteverything
altogether.ThisrendersthemallbutuselessfortheworkoftheKingdomforatime.Toadd
insulttoinjury,theyoftenblameGodfortheircondition,becomingangrywithHim.Forme,the
surestmeansofgainingguidancecomesfromtakingthetimetotalkeverythingoverwithHim
andlisteningforHisresponse.Therearenoshort-cutstothisandnoonecandoitforyou.Ifwe
could,manyofuswouldgetallweneedspirituallythroughthe"drive-thru",buttheLordwants
ustopullover,turnofftheignition,andcomeintowaitbeforeHim.Everythingweneedtolive
abalancedproductivelifemustcomethisway.
2.TODEALWITHOURPAST:Ifyouliveyourlifeatsucharatethatyoudon’ttaketimetodeal
withyourpasthurts,disappointments,anddoubts,theywillonlyaccumulate.Youwillbecome
depressed,distressed,drainedoflife,orimplode.Thesamethingistrueaboutfindinghealing
forthedeeporlong-standingwoundsthathavehappenedinlife.Ittakestimetoalignthese
areasofourliveswithGod’swordandfindthefreedomweneed.
12
3.TOREALLYREPENT:Ifwecontinuemaintainingthepatternsandhabitsthatweknoware
nothealthy,anddonottakethetimetofindtheroot,sowecanlayanaxetoitslifesource,
theywillonlygrowback–inmorestrength.Asapastor,IoftenhearpeopletellingGodhow
sorrytheyare,quicklyaskingforforgiveness,butthentheydothesamethingagain.Thisisnot
realrepentance.Thefactis,ittakestimetorepent;Imeantoreallyrepent,wheretheword
andtheSpirithavetheopportunitytosetusfree.Repentanceismorelikeawalk,thanalittle
prayer.Ittakestimetogetintothevariousdepthsofrepentance.
4.TODEALWITHPEOPLEPROBLEMS:-Ifyouhavepersistent“peopleproblems”thatwillnot
goawayyouwillneedtocomeasideinordertoseektheLord.YouwillgainHisperspectiveby
allowingHimtospeaktoyousoHecangiveyoutheperspectiveyouneedandHewillshowyou
thestepsnecessarytowalkoutofthesequagmires.
5.TODEALWITHSTRESS:Ifyoudon’ttaketimetounplugfromyourtoolsandtechnology,it
willonlyaddstresstoyourstress-filledlife.Allthese“time-saving”devicestaketimeto
maintain.Wequicklybecomedependentuponthesetools,evenemotionallydependent.The
onlywaytomasterthemistotakethetimetounplugfromthem.
ATHOROUGHOVERHAULING
CharlesG.Finneyhadbeeninnearconstantrevivalforabouttenyears,confrontingsinand
apathywithinthechurch,whilebringingthousandsofpeopletoChrist.Ifthiswasnotenough,
healsofacedconstantcriticismandconflictfrombothwithintheChurchandwithout.
Duringthistime,hehadbeenput“ontrial”byhisdenominationforwhattheythoughttobe
extra-biblicalextremes.Beingfoundguiltywouldhavemeanttheendofhisrevivalministry.
Oldermeninthechurch,mostofwhomhadexperiencedrevivalsthemselves,setthemselves
againsthim.
Hehadevenbeenburnedineffigyduringthissameperiod.
HehadstirredupUnitarianoppositionwhereverhewent,enduringawritingcampaignagainst
him,slanderinghimwithliesandhalf-truths.
Althoughhewasmarriedduringmuchofthistime,hecontinuedtoliveoutofasteamertrunk
thatcontainedeverythinghehad.Healsotriedtoraisehisyoungfamily,oftengoingforlong
periodsoftimewithoutbeingwiththem.
Hishealthhadbeenoftenbroken,beginninginthefirstthreemonthsofhisministry.Hewas
coughingbloodandeventuallyhadcholera,whichforcedhimoutoftheministryforalmosta
year.Allthistosay,heknewsomethingaboutthestressandpressureoflifeandministry.
ThenhecametoBostoninthewinterof1843,wherehispreachingschedulewaslighterthan
13
usual.Hebookedaroominahotelnexttothechurchandspentasmuchtimealoneas
possible.
Itwasduringthistimeaside,thathemettheLordinafreshway.Hedescribedhisexperience
thisway,“…theLordgavemyownsoulaverythoroughoverhauling,andafreshbaptismofHis
Spirit”.
HesaidhedidnotreadanythingotherthanhisBiblethatwinterandsaiditbecameanew
booktohim.Hereceivedfreshrevelationafterrevelation.Helikenedthistimeasidewithbeing
bornagain–again!
HisbiggestconcernwasthatwhatGodwasdoingwouldonlyaffecthisheadandnothisheart.
HeaskedtheLordifHewouldnotdosomethinginhimsothatwhathewasexperiencingcould
besomehowconveyedtothechurch.
Hereismyquestion:Ifyourministryistobringlifetoothers,whoisbringinglifetoyou?
Finney,CharlesG.(2010-03-30).AutobiographyofCharlesG.Finney
PREPARINGFORTHEHARVESTNOW
Jesustalkedaboutagreatend-timeharvest.Manyofusbelievethishasalreadybegun.Butifit
hasnot,thesearecertainlyremarkabledays.Ihavenotseenanythinglikethemsincemyearly
daysintheCharismaticRenewal.PeoplearemoreresponsivetoreceivingChristandmany
peoplearereceivingthebaptismwiththeHolySpirit.
TheLorddescribedaharvestofsuchscalethateveryoneavailablewouldneedtobehiredto
helpgetitin.(Matthew20:1-16)Landownerswouldbehiringpeopleattheeleventhhour
becausetheharvesthadtogetin.Therearethreestagesofharvest–unripened,ripened,and
rotten.Whenthingsareripe,theyneedtobeharvested.Ihaveseencropsrottinginthefield
forlackoflaborers.Itisadeeplydiscouragingsight.Once,IwasdrivingthroughanapplegrowingareainNewYorkState,andpassedrowafterrowofappletreesloadedwithbrightred
applescoveredwithsnow.Itwasverylateinthefallandnoonehadpickedthembecause
therewasashortageoflaborers.AsIdroveon,Icouldnotgetmymindoffthoseapples.What
awaste.
Whenthegreatharvestfullycomes,peoplewillbeknockingonourdoorsaskinghowthey
canbesaved.Therewillbemeetingswithoutend.Ourserviceswillrunlateintothenight
becausepeoplewillnotwanttomissanythingthatGodisdoing.Itisgoingtobeaverybusy
time.ManyofthepastorsIrelatetohavealreadybuiltbigger“barns”inordertoaccommodate
thegrowththeyareexpecting.Althoughtheymaynotbeabletoexplainit,mostpastorsare
gettingreadyforsomethingbig.Theyareexpectingagreatinfluxofpeopleintothechurch
beforeJesusreturns.Again,thiswillbeaverybusytimeofministry.Itwillbeatimewhen
14
everyonewhocanbeemployedintheKingdomwillbeputtowork.
InallthisIhaveamajorquestion:
IftheworkoftheKingdomisgoingtogetbusierbecauseoftheharvest,wherearewegoing
togetthestrengthtodowhatisrequiredofus?Peopleseemtobemaxed-outnow!Whereare
wegoingtogetthespiritualreservetogothedistance?
NotonlydoIbelievethegreatharvestiscoming,butIbelievethatthedarknessisgoingto
getdarker.PersecutionwillassailtheNorthAmericanchurch.Wherearewegoingtogetthe
wherewithaltostand?
ItislikethequestionstheLordaskedJeremiahwhenhewasgoingthroughpersecutionearly
inhisministry.HehadbeenstrugglingwithspeakingoftheLordinhisownhometown,andwas
experiencingdeaththreats.TheLordaskedtheyoungprophet,
Ifyouhavehavingtroublerunningagainstpeople,howareyougoingtorunagainsthorses?”If
youarehavingtroublerunningontheopenplain,howareyougoingtorunintheswamps?
(Jeremiah12:5)
HerearethesametwoquestionsparaphrasedfromTheMessage:
So,Jeremiah,ifyou’rewornoutinthisfootracewithmen,
whatmakesyouthinkyoucanraceagainsthorses?
Andifyoucan’tkeepyourwitsduringtimesofcalm,
what’sgoingtohappenwhentroublesbreakloose
liketheJordaninflood?
Weshouldaskourselvesthesamequestions.
Thingsaregoingtobecomeincreasinglymoredifficult.Ibelieveitisgoingtobeastressful
andconfusingtime.Infact,duringtheend-timeharvesttherewillalsobeagreatfallingaway
takingplace.Howironic!Duringthetimeofthegreatestinfluxofnewbelieversinthehistoryof
thechurch,therewillbeagreatfallingawayofbelieverswhohavebeeninthechurchformany
years.JesusprophesiedthiswhenHesaid,
Andbecauselawlessnesswillabound,theloveofmanywillgrowcold.Buthewhoenduresto
theendshallbesaved(Matthew24:12.13).
SomebelieverswilllosetheirlovefortheLordandforeachother.Therewillbemany
betrayalsandpeoplechangingsides.ThelawlessnessthatJesusspokeofisatimewhenGod’s
Wordwillnolongersettheboundariesforourbehavior.Anattitudeof“IcandowhateverI
wanttodo”willabound,eveninourchurches.Thishasalreadybegun.Peoplewhohavebeen
Christiansforalongtimehaveleftthechurchbecausetheydonotwanttosubmittoauthority.
IbelievetheapostlePaulwasreferringtothisperiodwhenhewrote,
Now,brethren,concerningthecomingofourLordJesusChristandourgatheringtogetherto
Him,weaskyou,nottobesoonshakeninmindortroubled,eitherbyspiritorbywordorby
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letter,asiffromus,asthoughthedayofChristhadcome.Letnoonedeceiveyoubyanymeans;
forthatDaywillnotcomeunlessthefallingawaycomesfirst,andthemanofsinisrevealed,
thesonofperdition,whoopposesandexaltshimselfaboveallthatiscalledGodorthatis
worshiped,sothathesitsasGodinthetempleofGod,showinghimselfthatheisGod(2
Thessalonians2:1-4).
Ibelievethereisasignificantkeytohavingthestrengthtostandandthestayingpowertogo
thedistance.ThiskeywillalsohelpuskeepourheartsintheloveofGodsowedonotfall
away.Itisourthemeinthisstudy:howtocomeasideandgetalonewiththeLord.Weneedto
learnhowtoseparateourselvesuntoHimandgetHisperspectiveonthings.Nothingelsewill
keepusfrombeingsuckedintothevortexofdarknessthatiscoming.Itwillenableustoendure
thepersecutionthatwilleithermakeusorbreakus.Weshouldnotbetheconfusedones
duringthisconfusingtime.Infact,thosewhoknowtheirGodshouldbedoingexploitslike
neverbefore.Todothis,weneedtoknowhowtoseekHimandwaituponHim.Judeclosedhis
end-timeepistlewithawonderfulpromiseofGod’skeepingpower:
NowtoHimwhoisabletokeepyoufromstumbling,
Andtopresentyoufaultless
BeforethepresenceofHisglorywithexceedingjoy,
ToGodourSavior,
Whoaloneiswise,
Begloryandmajesty,
Dominionandpower,
Bothnowandforever.”
Amen(Jude1:24,25).
CEASELESSTOIL
Imagine,ifyouwill,afarmerinthe1700’sgazinguponatractoflandthathasbeendeededto
him.Hestandsattheedgeofvirginforest,abroadaxeinhishand.Hisfirstjobistocutdown
thetreesinordertoclearthefieldforplanting.Thetreeswillfurnishhimwiththematerialto
buildhishouseandbarns.Nothingwillbewasted.Thebarkwillproducepotashforsoapand
tanninghides.Thebrancheswillprovidefirewoodforheatingthehouseduringthewinter.
Hebegins:hisaxecuttingdeeplyintothefirstofmanytrees.
Withateamofoxenandhisownbrutestrength,heremoveseverystump.Then,withaflat
boarddraggedbehindtheoxen,hereshapestheland,fillinginthestumpholesandmovingdirt
fromwhereitistoothicktowhereitistoothin.Heremoveseachstone,haulingthemoffthe
fieldtobuildalowfencearoundhisproperty.Heuseshisplowtoturnthedirtoverandover
againuntilitisbrokenintoafinepowder.Finally,thedaycomeswhenhecanstrapontheseed
sackandfillitwithhisfuture.Herunshishandthroughtheseedinhissack,ashejoyfully
broadcaststheseedintothefreshlytilledground.
16
Withallthisaccomplished,hecontinuesworkingonmorefencesandbeginslayingthe
foundationforabarn.Throughoutthesummer,hekeepsthesamepace;flatout.Then
somethinghappens.Partwaythroughthesummer,hefindshisstrengthflagging,butpushes
himselftokeepgoing.Hehaslessenergythanbefore,butthereissomuchtobedone.Byearly
fall,heiscompletelyoutofstrength.Thecropthathasbeensownmonthsearlierisbeginning
toripen,buthedoesnothavethewherewithaltogetexcitedaboutit.Thentheharvestfully
comes,butheisjustplaintuckered-out.Hedoesnothavethestrengthtosicklethegrain,
muchlessbundleitandcarryitawayforprocessing.Hesimplyrunsoutofstrength.Allthe
workhedidinthebeginning,clearingthefields,removingthestumps,andhaulingawaythe
stonesisinvain.Theharvestjustrotsinthefield.
Thiscouldhappentomanyofus.Wehavebeenpreparingfortheharvest,learning,and
gettingallthestuffworkedoutofourlives.Butwhenthegreatharvestcomes,willwebetoo
exhaustedtobeabletogetitinbecausewedidnotpaceourselves?Weneedtotakethetime
tocomeasideandlearnthevalueofrestingforwhatisahead.
IWOULDRATHERWEAROUTTHANRUSTOUT!
Ihaveheardpastorssay,“Iwouldratherwearoutthanrustout!”Themanwhofirstmadethis
statementpopularwasevangelistGeorgeWhitefield.Whatmanydonotrealizeisthat
Whitefieldactuallypreachedhimselftodeath.Whenconfrontedabouthisfailinghealthand
brutalschedule,Whitefieldrepliedthathewouldrestoncehegottoheaven.Whenconfronted
furtheraboutthepacehekept,hesaid,“Iwouldratherwearoutthanrustout!”.
AlthoughWhitefieldwasonlyinhismid-fifties,hehadagedrapidlyanddiedprematurely.He
waswhite-hairedandcorpulent,sufferingfromangina,whichgavehisfaceacertainpuffiness,
makinghimlookalotolderthanhereallywas.Sometimeshisinfirmitiesmadehimirritable.
Whitefieldreceivedareprooffromafellowminister,WilliamTennent,justdaysbeforehe
preachedhislastsermon.Oneeveningafterpreachinginchurch,Whitefieldwenttothemanse
ofthepastor,whohadgatheredtheotherareapastorstogetherfordinnerafterthesermon.
Astheyate,Whitefieldtalkedjoyfullyofsoondying,andrhapsodizedatthethoughtofHeaven.
‘Doyounotsharemyjoyatourhopeofdyingsooninourfullassurance,throughChrist’sblood,
ofenteringheaven?’
Theyallassented–exceptpastorWilliamTennent,whostayedsilent.
`BrotherTennent,’exclaimedGeorge.‘Youaretheoldestmanamongus.Doyounotrejoice
thatyourbeingcalledhomeissonearathand?’
`Ihavenowishaboutit!’
`What,sir,nojoyatthenearprospectofheaven?’askedGeorge.
17
`No,sir,itisnopleasuretomeatall.Andifyouknewyourdutyitwouldbenonetoyou,
BrotherWhitefield.Ihavenothingtodowithdeath.MybusinessistoliveaslongasIcan,and
aswellasIcan.’
`But,’pressedWhitefield,‘wouldyounotchoosedeath,andthegatesofheaven,andtosee
thefaceoftheLordJesuswelcomingyou,ifthechoicewerelefttoyou?’
`Sir,’saidTennentsolemnly.‘Ihavenochoiceaboutit.IamGod’sservantandhaveengaged
todoHisbusinessaslongasHepleases.Letmeaskyouaquestion,BrotherWhitefield.What
doyouthinkIwouldsayifIsentmymanTomintothefieldtoplough,andatnoonIfoundhim
loungingunderatreeandhecomplained,“Master,thesunishot,andtheploughinghardandI
amweary.Master,pleaseletmegohome!”Why,Iwouldanswerhewasalazyfellowandhe
shoulddotheworkIhadgivenhimuntilIpleasedtocallhimhome.’
Thereisnorecordastohowthatmealendedorhowquicklythepartybrokeup.Wedo
knowthatfromPhiladelphia,GeorgesailedtowardsBoston,withRichardSmithathisside.He
preachedfivetimesinthefirstweekreporting,“Congregationsarelargerthanever.”
ButashenearedBostonhefellillagain,withviolentdiarrhea,vomiting,andshivering.His
nerveswerealsoshot.
AlargeaudienceawaitedhimthateveningathisfirststopinBoston.However,hewrotetwo
dayslater,“IwassoillIcouldnotpreach.Well,thedayofreleasewillshortlycome,butitdoes
notseemyet;forbyridingsixtymilesIambetterandhopetopreachheretomorrow.Itrustmy
blessedmasterwillacceptthesepoorefforts”.
Afterridingnearlysixtymilesonhorseback,WhitefieldcametothevillageofExeter,where
hewastodineatafriend’shousewiththepastorofthechurchGeorgehadpromisedtopreach
innextday.
TheministersofExeterhadbeggedforasermonthatSaturdayafternoonandWhitefield
agreed.Whenthetimecame,oneofthemlookedathimwithconcernandsaid,“Sir,youare
morefittogotobedthantopreach”.
“True,sir”,repliedGeorgeasheclaspedhishandsinprayerwhilelookinguptoheaven,
saying:“IfIhavefinishedmycourse,letmegoandspeakoncemoreinthefields,andsealedby
truth,andcomehomeanddie!”
Whitefieldclimbedthemakeshiftplatformasifexhaustedbythirty-threeyearsofpreaching,
hisfacebloated,hischestheaving.Inalowvoiceheannouncedhistext:“Examineyourself
whetheryebeinthefaith”.
Hestoodthereinsilence.Minutespast.
18
Finally,hesaid,“IwillwaitforthegraciousassistanceofGod.ForHewill,Iamcertain,assist
meoncemoretospeakingHisname”.
Thenhebegan.Atfirstthewordswerehoarseandsluggish,thesentencesdisjointedand
roughasifhisbrainrefusedtofocus.Hespokeofman’sattempttowinthefavorofGodby
goodworksandnotbyfaith.
Georgecontemplated,asifthinkingoutloud,theenormityofsuchaffront.
Hismindsuddenlykindledandhisvoiceroseandhethunderedinsuchawayastoreachthe
edgeoftheimmensecrowd,“Whatworks?Works?Amangetstoheavenbyworks?Iwould
soonerthinkofclimbingtothemoononaropeofsand!”
Afterthat,anyweaknessdissolvedinamightypowerthatswepthimintoanunforgettable
sermoninwhichheproclaimed,onceagain,thegloriesofChrist:asoneofhisfriendslatersaid,
“Hehadsuchasenseoftheincomparableexcellences’ofChristthathecouldneversayenough
ofHim”.
OnandonGeorgespoke,hisvoiceclearandvigorousinthelateSeptembersunshinewhilea
slightbreezeruffledthetrees.Theminutesfledunnoticedbypreacherortheaudience.The
sermon,saidJonathanParsonsthenextday,wasdeliveredwithsuchclearness,pathosand
eloquenceastopleaseandsurprisethesurroundingthousands.
Thefirsthourpast.Stillhepreached.ToParsonsitseemedGeorgeWhitefieldlookedright
intoheaven,viewingthebeautyoftheLordJesus;thathefeltthepleasuresofheaveninhis
fracturedsoul,whichmadehiscountenanceshineliketheuncloudedsun.Nearlytwohours
hadpassedwhenWhitefieldcried,“Igo!”.
Thenhetotteredfromtheplatform,aidedbyhelpinghands.Thateveninghedinedwith
JonathanParsonsandothers.LatertheytookhimtotheferrytocrosstheMerrimackRiver
oppositeNewberryPort,butwhentheferryarrived,Whitefieldwastooweaktodisembark
withoutassistance.Thateveningheate,butspokelittle,andretiredtobedearly.
Histravelcompanion,RichardSmith,themanwhocaredforhimandcarriedhisbags,found
himsittingreadingtheBible,withhissongbookopenbesideit.Whitefieldkneltdownathis
bedsidetoclosetheeveningwithprayer.OnceGeorgewasinbed,Richardopenedthewindow
halfwaysothenightaircouldoffsethisbreathlessness.AbouttwointhemorningofSunday,
September30,WhitefieldwokeRichardaskingforalittlecider.Hesaidthathisasthmawas
affectinghim.“Twoorthreedaysofrestwithoutpreachingwillsetmeupagain”,hewheezed,
buthecouldnotbearthethoughtofgoingthatlongwithoutpreaching.“IhopeIshallbebetter
byandby.Agoodpulpitsweattodaymaygivemerelief.Ishallbebetterafterpreaching”.
“Iwishyouwouldnotpreachsooften,sir”saidRichard.
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PerhapsWhitefield’sasthmamadehimirritable,orhewasfeelingthestingofTennent’s
reproofafewdaysearlier,buthepanted,“Iwouldratherwearoutthanrustout”.
Theyagreedhehadprobablycaughtcoldwhilepreachingthepreviousday.Whitefieldsatup
inbed.Hebegantospeakquietly,quitenormally.ThecandlelightwastoodimforRichardto
noticeatfirstthathismaster’seyeswereclosed.Hewaspraying.Richardjoinedinsilently.
GeorgeWhitefieldcommittedhisfriendstoGod.HisprayersrangedbacktoEngland,tothe
churchesthatheserved.Onebyonehecarriedhisdistantcolleaguestothethroneofgrace.He
prayedinthespirittoGeorgia,thenuptoPennsylvaniaandNewEngland.Totallyobliviousof
hissurroundings,GeorgeknewonlythathetalkedwithhisfaithfulunchangeableFriend.
Heavenlayahairs-breathaway.
ForRichardSmith,itwasaweinspiring.Whitefieldconcludedbyprayingforguidance,
whethertospendthewinterinBostonorreturntoGeorgia.Thenhelaiddownagainand
begantodozeoff.Afteranhour’squietsleepwhileRichardwatched,hewokestrugglingfor
breath.“Myasthma,myasthma”,hecroaked.But,unknowntoeither,itprobablywasthe
angina.Hemurmuredthathewishedhehadnotpromisedtopreachandthathispridehadset
himup.
“Iamalmostsuffocated.Icanscarcelybreathe.”Hegotoutofbedandstumbledtotheopen
window.Outside,NewberryPortlayasleep,happythatGeorgeWhitefieldhadpromisedto
preachthatSundaymorning.Hestoodthereforaboutfiveminutes,gaspingforair.Hefought
forbreathasthefirstglimmerofanewdawncaughtthewatersoftheestuaryandwouldsoon
breakoverNewEngland.HeturnedtoRichardandsaid:“Iamdying”.
Whitefield’sfamousresponseaboutnotrustingouthasbeenrepeatedthroughtheyearsby
manyinministry,andevenbythoseintheentertainmentbusiness,whohavebeenconfronted
abouttheirtendencytoover-extendthemselves.Ithasbecomeafamousquote,butthe
context,whichwasthereproofofhisfellowlaborershasbecomelostonustoday.
MemoirsofthelifeoftheRev.WilliamTennentbyEliasBoudinot
WhiletherearemanybookswrittenaboutWhitefield,myfavoritewastheonebyJohnPollock,“GeorgeWhitefieldandthe
GreatAwakening”.
20
THEWORKOFRESTING
INTRODUCTION
FewconceptshaveaddedasmuchlifetomylifeastheideaoftakingaSabbath,whichI
discoveredduringmyfirstyearasapastor.Tothisday,IamgratefultotheLordoftheSabbath,
wholedmeintothisrevelation.Idon’tthinkIwouldhavefounditotherwise,inpartbecauseI
nevercameacrosstheconceptinanyofthebooksIwasreadingatthetime,nordidIknowany
pastorwhopracticedit.Sure,sometookdaysoffasneeded,andothersdiditinalegalistic
way,butitwouldbealongtimebeforeImetanyonewhoactuallyobservedaSabbathina
wholesomeandbalancedway.
Thisstudyisbased,inpart,onPsalm23,whichismostpeople’sfavoritepsalm.Iamalways
surprisedtoseehowoftenitisreadatfuneralservicesandcanbequotedbyunbelievers,yetit
wasnotwrittenforeither.ItmaybeDavid’smostpopularpsalm,butwithitsgreatpopularity
comestheriskofitbeingsofamiliartousthatitlosesitsimpact.Let’sreaditagain,asifforthe
firsttime,asitwasintended,lookingfortherelationshipbetweenusasHissheepandbeing
caredforbytheShepherdofoursouls.Let’spersonalizeit,bythinkingofthisbeingdonetous,
byourpersonalPastor,Jesus:
TheLordismyshepherd;
Ishallnotwant.
Hemakesmetoliedowningreenpastures;
Heleadsmebesidethestillwaters.
Herestoresmysoul;
Heleadsmeinthepathsofrighteousness
ForHisname'ssake.
Yea,thoughIwalkthroughthevalleyoftheshadowofdeath,
Iwillfearnoevil;
ForYouarewithme;
YourrodandYourstaff,theycomfortme.
Youprepareatablebeforemeinthepresenceofmyenemies;
Youanointmyheadwithoil;
Mycuprunsover.
Surelygoodnessandmercyshallfollowme
Allthedaysofmylife;
AndIwilldwellinthehouseoftheLord
Forever.
IfweallowJesustoreallypastorus,perhapsoneofthefirstthingsHewoulddoisrestus.He
wouldmakeusliedowningreenpasturesandleadusbesidestillwaters,whichwouldhelp
restoreoursouls.HewouldtrytomakeusfeelsecureinHispersonalprovisionandcare.There
isarealinnerrestthatcomeswithbeingrightwithGod,soHewouldleadusintothat,too.
ThenHewouldcalmourfearswithanassuranceofHiscloseness.Hewouldgiveusrestfrom
21
ourenemies,tothepointwecouldcomfortablyeatamealintheirpresence.Hewouldalso
anointourheadswithoil,whichtome,involvessoothingawaythelittleirritantsandevery
sourceofdistractionthatsooftenrobsusofrest.Allofthisisrealpastoralcare,whichisthe
purposeofthepsalm.Thequestionweshouldaskourselvesuponreadingitis,doweallowthe
Lordtopastorusthisway?
ThesestudynoteswereintendedtoinspireusalltocomeasidetoseektheLord,soHecan
pastorusagainandagain.Afterthis,wecanmoreeasilymanagethestressthatsoeasilybesets
us.LearningtostoptorestandreflectistheprimarywayGod,asourPastor,restoresoursouls.
Itrustthisstudyguidewillchallengeyouinyourpursuitofthis.
Blessings,PennClark
THEDAYOFDISCOVERY
Oneday,duringmyfirstyearofpastoringagrowingchurchplant,Ifoundmyselfsittingatmy
deskmovingpaperfromonepiletoanother.Iwasnotaccomplishinganything,justquickly
movingpapersaroundinacircle.WhenIfinallyrealizedwhatIwasdoing,italarmedme.Iput
myheadonmydeskandprayed,askingtheLordtohelpmemanagethestressthathadmeso
woundup.IwassurprisedwhenHespoketomeimmediately,tellingmetogohometobed.I
hadjustcomebacktotheofficefromlunch,sotheideaofgoingbackhomeandgettinginto
bedinthemiddleofthedayseemedcrazytome.Ialsoworriedaboutwhatmywifewouldsay,
butIknewitwastheLordwhospoketomesoIcomplied.
Afterclimbingintobed,Ijustlaythere,mymindracingandnervesmakingmejittery.When
HeathercameinanddiscoveredwhatIwasdoing,shewassurprised,ofcourse,andaskedifI
wasalright.ItoldherIwasn’tsick.ShethenwantedanexplanationforwhatIwasdoing,butI
didn’thaveone.IsimplytoldherthattheLordtoldmetogotobed.HeatherandIareboth
veryresponsiblepeopleandthiswastotallyoutofcharacterforme.Shewasalittletickedoff
butleftmealone.Ilaythereforacoupleofhours,withnofurtherinstructionsfromtheLord.
Finally,Hebegantospeaktome,showingmethatthepatternIhadestablishedofworkingall
week,preachingtwiceonSundayandgoingintotheofficeonMonday,couldnotlastlong.Ifelt
HisFather’sheart,whichwasfirm,butcaring.Thenthethoughtoftakingaregulardayofrest
cametomind,whichwasanentirelynewconcepttome.IhadbeenaChristianforaboutsix
yearsatthispointandalwayswenttochurchonSunday,butneverreallythoughtofitinterms
ofaSabbathday.Nowasanewpastor,Ikeptaverybusyschedulewithnorealbreak.The
strainwasbeginningtoshow.
Hebegantocreateanewdesirewithinme.IhadneverstudiedtheconceptoftheSabbath
beforesoIdecidedtobeginrightthereinbed.IgotmyBibleoutandopenedtothefirst
mentionoftheSabbathinscripture,whichhadtodowiththeLordHimselftakingaSabbath
aftercreation.Thisamazedme,asIponderedtheideaofGodAlmightyneedingarest.
RemembertheSabbathday,tokeepitholy.Sixdaysyoushalllaboranddoallyourwork,but
theseventhdayistheSabbathoftheLordyourGod.Inityoushalldonowork:you,noryour
son,noryourdaughter,noryourmaleservant,noryourfemaleservant,noryourcattle,nor
yourstrangerwhoiswithinyourgates.ForinsixdaystheLordmadetheheavensandtheearth,
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thesea,andallthatisinthem,andrestedtheseventhday.ThereforetheLordblessedthe
Sabbathdayandhallowedit(Exodus20:8-11).
Godrestedafterthecreation,notbecauseHewasphysicallytiredfromworkingsixdays
straight,butbecauseofthespiritualandcreativeeffortHeexertedincreation.UntilIsawthis,I
didn’trealizehowmuchenergyIlostthroughspeakingandusingmyowncreativepowerseach
week.
AsIleafedthroughtheBible,itwasalmostasifIwereseeingtheword`Sabbath’forthefirst
time.IwassurprisedtofindthatJesusclaimedthetitle“TheLordoftheSabbath”,whichisone
ofthefunctionsHestillretainstoday.
Jesussaid,TheSabbathwasmadeforman,andnotmanfortheSabbath.ThereforetheSon
ofManisalsoLordoftheSabbath(Mark2:27-28).
IknewthatifIchosetorestIwouldhavetocomeunderHisLordshiptolearnhowtodoit.I
honestlydidnotknowwheretobegin.RightthereIaskedHimtoguidemeintoit.Ialsoknew
thatifIdidnotrestIwouldhavetoanswertoHimforit.
AsLordoftheSabbath,JesusmadeitclearthattheSabbathwascreatedforman,notman
fortheSabbath.MyfirstmajormisunderstandingabouttheSabbathwasclearedupwhenI
realizedthatitwasnotjustforJewishpeople.ObservingaSabbathpredatestheLawofMoses.
Infact,theprimaryreasonGodgavethemforkeepingthiscommandmentwasbecauseitwas
somethingHedidHimself.ThiswasarevelationabouttheuniversalityoftheSabbath:Itwas
givenasagifttomankind,notjustthechildrenofIsrael.HeevenpromisedtheGentilesthat
theirrestwouldbeglorious:
AndinthatdaythereshallbeaRootofJesse,whoshallstandasabannertothepeople;Forthe
GentilesshallseekHim,andHisrestshallbeglorious(Isaiah11:10).
IwassurprisedtofindthattherewasnoinjunctiontokeeptheSabbathinanyofPaul’s
writings.IknewthattheTenCommandmentshadbeensurpassedintheNewTestamentbythe
LawofLove.Ratherthanobeyingalistofrules,Ishouldobservethesethingsbecausethat’s
whatlovewoulddo.IfIlovedmyfamily,Iwouldlearntorest.IfIlovedmyflock,Iwouldbuild
thedisciplineofrestintomylifesoIcouldservethemmoreeffectively.
IntermsofitbeingmentionedintheFourGospels,IknewthatthePhariseeswere
continuallygivingJesusahardtimeaboutwhatHedidontheSabbath.Theywerebentonrulekeeping,whichwasnothowHeapproachedit.HedidnotkeeptheSabbathinthatspirit,nor
didHeimposeituponothers,butinstead,Heinvitedthemintoit:
"CometoMe,allyouwholaborandareheavyladen,andIwillgiveyourest.TakeMyyoke
uponyouandlearnfromMe,forIammeekandlowlyinheart,andyouwillfindrestforyour
souls.ForMyyokeiseasyandMyburdenislight"(Matthew11:28-30).
HereisthesametexttakenfromtheMessage:
“Areyoutired?Wornout?Burnedoutonreligion?Cometome.Getawaywithmeand
you'llrecoveryourlife.I'llshowyouhowtotakearealrest.Walkwithmeandwork
withme–watchhowIdoit.Learntheunforcedrhythmsofgrace.Iwon'tlayanything
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heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and
lightly”(Matthew11:28-30,TheMessage).
SoonaftertheLordshowedmethewisdomoftakingaregulardayasidetorest,Iattended
themonthlyministerialmeetinginourvillage.Asthepastorsstoodaroundtalkinganddrinking
theircoffee,Ilistenedinontheirvariousconversations.Anumberofthemweretalkingabout
theirbrokenhealth.Somelookedburnedoutandtalkedaboutthedifficultiesintheir
pastorates.Noneofthemhadanyspiritualvitality.AsIlistenedtothemtalkabouttheirvarious
ailments,Ifinallyspokeup,askingthegroupifanyofthemtookaregularSabbath.Youwould
havethoughtIhadjustswore.Theyallstaredatmeforaminutethenwentbacktotheir
conversations.IknewIwasontosomethingimportant.Iwoulddoanythingtoavoidbecoming
likethislaterinmyministry.WhileIdidnotknowhowtorest,IknewWhodid.Iwouldask
Jesus,theLordoftheSabbath,toleadmeintoit.
Aftertryingitoutforacoupleofmonths,IdecidedtosharewhatIwaslearningwithour
congregation,invitingthemtojoinmeinpursuingthisconcepttoseewhereitwouldtakeusas
achurch.Theynotonlycaughttheconceptforthemselves,butworkedtoguardmySabbath,
oftenaskingmeifIwasbeingcarefultokeepit.TheyalsosupportedmewhenIbuiltperiodsof
restintoeachofourprograms,orencouragedourstaffandworkerstobuilditintotheir
schedules.WewonderedwhatwouldhappenifItookeveryseventhyearoff,asaradical
Sabbatical,whichwasunheardofinourcircles.Webegantotentativelyplantowardit,unsure
ofhowitcouldbedone.Whenwecametooursixthyear,ourplansbecamemoreintentional.
Mostsabbaticalswereforced,somethingpeopledidasalastresorttohelpafallenminister,or
restoresomeonewhohadburned-out,butthiswasdifferent.Weweredoingittoprevent
burn-out.IwouldbegiventhefreedomtoexplorehowtospendmytimebeforetheLord,
withoutrestrictionsbeingputonwhatIwastodo.Istoppedpreachingalmostcompletely,
choosingrathertositinthepew.Isteppedawayfrommostoftheregularboardmeetings,and
spentsometimecamping.Itriedtostayawayfromanythingthatfeltstressful.
Atthetimeofthiswriting,Ihavejustfinishedmyfifthyear-longSabbatical,overthirtyyears
ofministry.EachtimeIhavedonethisithasaddedlifetomylife,andlifetothechurchesIhave
pastored.Eachonehasbeendifferentbuteachoneresultedingoingtoadifferentlevelof
ministry.
MostofwhatIhaveincludedinthisstudyguidehastakenplacesincetheLordfirstsentme
hometobedthatafternoon.AllIcansayisthatIamstilllearningtorest.Ihavedonefairlywell
atbuildingthedisciplineintomylifeovertheyears.IcannotsaythatIhaveobservedit
perfectly.TherehavebeentimesthatIlostsightoftherealreasonsfortakingaSabbath,and
havehadtoregainit.ManytimesIhavebeentemptedtocutcornersortocompromise.Iam
alwayssurprisedathowmuchoppositionthereistotheidea.Inalltheyearsofpursuingit,I
havenothadmuchencouragement,althoughtherearemorepeoplewritingaboutittoday
thanwhenIfirststartedout.
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ASSIGNMENT
HerearethemostcommonblocksorobjectionsIhaveheardregardingtakingaSabbath:
"Howwillthingsrunwithoutme?"–TakingaSabbaticalallowsustotrustGodtogetthings
done.HeoftenmultiplieswhatwenaturallycandowhenwesubmittoHimandhonorHis
ways.
"Ifeelitisselfishtobedoingnothingwhenthereissomuchtobedone."–Restingfortheright
reasonsisoneofthemostconsideratethingsyoucando.
"Iamnotover-workedrightnow."–Itiswisetorestupforwhateverliesahead.
"Iamyoung.Idon'tfeelthestrainyet."–Itisadisciplineyoucultivatebecauseyouarea
disciple,notbecauseofyourage.
"Icannotaffordthetimeoff."-Ifyoudon’ttakeyourrest,itwilltakeyou:perhapsthrough
illnessorfatigue,butyouwilleventuallybeside-lined.
WriteoutyourownblocksandargumentsfornottakingaSabbath:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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THEDISCIPLINEOFREST
JesusisdescribedintheFourGospelsasbeingaverybusyman,withmanydemandsuponHis
timeandenergy.WereadseveraltimeswhereitsaysthatHeimmediatelywenthereorthere,
respondingtoavarietyofneeds.Sometimes,Hedidn’thavetimetoeat.Johntriedtodescribe
whathesawinJesus’ministryandwrotetheworldcouldnotcontainallthebooksthatcould
bewrittenifeverythingJesusdidinthosethreeandahalfyearshadbeenwrittendown(John
21:25).Hehadtohavebeenconstantlybusyinordertohaveaccomplishedsomuch.
Duringthistime,Jesuswalkedfromplacetoplace,oververyruggedterrain.AsItoured
Israel,IwasoftenmindfulofthisandwasamazedatthedistancesHecoveredonfoot.
Heapproachedtheconceptofrestinsuchanon-legalisticway,whichputHimatoddswith
thekeepersofthesystem.Asthechaptersofthegospelsunfold,weseetheopposition
buildingandbecomingmoreaggressive,whichmusthaveaddedanotherlayerofpressureto
Jesus’lifeandministry.Yet,inallthis,weseeHimtakingtimetosimplycomeasidetobealone
withHisFather.
Jesuswasdisciplinedaboutdoingthis.Alldisciplineworksbestwhenitcomesoutofour
desire.Proverbs18:1says:“Throughdesireamanhavingseparatedhimself,seeksand
intermeddleswithallwisdom”(KJV).Hereareafewdifferentwayswecouldsaythis:
§
“Throughdesire,amanseparateshimselftoseektheLordinprayer.”
§
“Throughdesire,amanseparateshimselftorestbeforetheLord.”
§
“Becauseamandesiresanendresultmorethanhisnecessaryfood,hewillfastunto
theLord.”
JesustaughtHisdisciplestodothesame.IfweareHisdisciplestoday,Hewillalsoteachusto
doit.Tobeadisciplemeanstobedisciplined.ThebestquoteIhavecomeacrossabout
disciplineisthis:“Disciplineisrememberingwhatyouwant.”1
Everythingthat’stobeobtainedintheKingdomhingesonourdesires.Ifwearehaving
troublekeepingadiscipline,itcanbeenergizedbyfindingtherightdesireormotivationfor
doingit.Anythingthathindersorreducesdesiremustbetreatedasanenemy.
Godwantsustoapproachanydisciplineoutofasensethatwe“getto”ratherthanwe
“haveto.”1Corinthians7:5-6providesanexampleofhowPaultaughtthedisciplineofa
marriedpersonabstainingfromsexualrelationsduringatimeoffastingandprayer.Hesaid,
“Donotdepriveoneanotherexceptwithconsentforatimethatyoumaygiveyourselvesto
fastingandprayer;andcometogetheragainsothatSatandoesnottemptyoubecauseofyour
lackofself-control.ButIsaythisbypermissionnotasacommandment.”
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WhatwasPaulsaying?Hewassaying,“Ihavepermissiontoaskthisofyou;I’mnotgivingit
toyouasacommandment.”ThisistheNewTestamentapproachtodiscipline.
TherearefivebasicdisciplinesembracedbyallChristians.Whilethereareothers,thesehave
beentheprimaryfocusofdisciplesfromthebeginning.Theyare:giving,prayer,fasting,study
ormeditation,andrest.Letmebeginbysayingthebestonetostartwithisgivingasallthe
othersspringfromaheartconditionedtogive.Ifwepray,fast,andstudyforthebenefitof
others,itturnsonthetapsofgrace.Ifwedothesethingsjustforourownbenefit,theywillnot
flowaseasily.Ihavealsofoundthemostdifficultdisciplineofthefiveisthelastone,rest.Ifwe
getthatoneright,theotherswillbemucheasiertodo.Itisnearlyimpossibletobespiritual
andexhaustedatthesametime.
Again,Icallthesedisciplinesbecausetheyarenotrequiredofusascommandmentsinthe
NewTestament.Doingthemornotdoingthemdoesn’tmakeusmoreeligibletogotoheaven.
Infact,manybelieversneglecttodothem,atleastwithanyconsistency.However,ifwedo
them,theymakeusmoreeffective,enhanceourspirituallives,makeusmoresensitivetoGod,
andhelpusremainfreeandabletobringfreedomtoothers.
Jesusmajoredineachofthese,andifwearetobecomelikeHim,wemustdothesame.
Remember,thegoalofadiscipleistodowhatJesusdidtobecomewhatHebecame.
ThebasicChristiandisciplines—giving,prayer,fasting,studyormeditation,andrest—don’t
haveanythingtodowithoursalvation.Salvationdoesn’tcomebydoing;itcomesbybelieving.
Peoplewon’tbesenttohellfornotreadingtheirBible,butneitherwilltheybecomefree.They
willalwaysbelookingforhelpandneverfindingit.Theymustrealizethatfreedomdoesn’t
comejustbybelievinginJesus.Hesaid,“IfyouabideinMe,andMywordsabideinyou,youwill
askwhatyoudesire,anditshallbedoneforyou.BythisMyFatherisglorified,thatyoubear
muchfruit;soyouwillbeMydisciples”(John15:7-8).
ThegoalistoabideinHimandHisWord.AbidinginHimhelpsuscontinuallyrememberthat
thesedisciplinesmustcomeoutofarelationshipandnotareligion.AbidinginHisWordhelps
fuelthefreshdesireandincentivestomaintainthesedisciplines.It’sHisspeakingtousthat
producesfruitfromthedisciplines,whichiswhatglorifiestheFather.It’sthisthatproveswe
areHisdisciples.
JustasGodspoketothepeoplethroughMalachiabouttithing,tellingthemtotestHiminit,
orlikeDanielwhowasdeterminedtostayawayfromtheking’sdiet,askingthathebetested
fortendays,inordertoprovethathewouldbehealthierthantheothers,Iwouldsuggestyou
begintokeepthedisciplineofrestasatestforasetperiodoftime.Keeptrackofitandsee
whatitdoesforyourspirituallifeandwell-being.
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STARTINGWITHDESIRE...ANDMOVINGTOCOMMANDMENT
It’simportanttobeabletodifferentiateforyourselfwhetherornotyouareapproachinganyof
thefivedisciplinesoutofcommandment.Here’showtoknow:ifyoufeelcondemnedfornot
doingthem,youhaveapproachedthemoutofcommandment.Furthermore,ifyoufeellikeyou
arebeingrejectedbyGodorthatsomekindofpunishmentawaitsyouforyourfailureto
maintainthemasyoushould,youareapproachingthemoutofcommandment.Whenthiskind
offearpushesyoutodoyourdevotions,somethingiswrongwithyourmotivation.
ThereasonthisisimportantisbecausetherearenoNewTestamentcommandmentsthat
say,“Youmustfastorpray,oryouwillbepunished.”CanyoufindanyscripturewhereGod
says,“Youhavetogive,andifyoudon’t,Iwillpunishyou?”Canyouthinkofanyplacewhereit
says,“Youmustprayonehouraday?”No.
WhatJesusdoessayisthis:“Whenyoupray…,”“Whenyoufast…,”and“Whenyougive….”In
otherwords,HeexpectsHisdisciplestodowhatHedid,notbecauseweareChristians,butto
becomelikeHim.Jesusprayed,fasted,studied,gave,andrested.SoHeexpectsHisdisciplesto
dothesame,butHedoesn’tsay,“Youmust...orelse!”No,Hedoesn’tthreatenuswithany
retributionfornotdoingthesedisciplines.
THESCHOOLMASTER
Whenmyboyswereyoung,Iwantedtotrainthemtoworkhard.Itoldthemthatiftheywould
doasIsaid,theywouldneverbewithoutajobwhentheygotolder.Initially,Iusedtwothings
tohelpmotivatethem.First,IsaidiftheydidthechoresIwanteddone,likecleaningthegarage
andkeepingthelawns,Iwouldrewardthem.Thiscameintheformofcash.Iftheydidn’tdo
thechores,theywouldbepunished.ThisisthesamemethodtheteacherusedwhenIwasin
school.Ifwedidasweweretold,wewererewarded.Ifwedidn’t,wewerepunished.
TheapostlePaulsaidthattheLaw(ThePentateuch)waslikeaschoolmasterteachingus—
rewardinggoodbehaviorandcorrectingbadbehavior.Ifyouobeyed,youwereblessed.Ifyou
didn’t,youwerecursed.
Troubleoccurswhenweliveourlivesundertheschoolmaster—ratherthanbyfaithand
grace.Wewillbeboundbycondemnation,fear,orlegalism.TheChristiansinGalatiadid
exactlythat.PaulwrotethemtoaskwhytheyhadplacedthemselvesbackundertheLaw:
Butthescripturehathconcludedallundersin,thatthepromisebyfaithofJesusChrist
might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the
law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law
wasourschoolmastertobringusuntoChrist,thatwemightbejustifiedbyfaith.But
after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster (Galatians 3:22-25,
KJV).
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Weseepeopledoingthesamethingtoday.Therearemanywhostartoutdoingthesethings
asdisciplines—praying,fasting,studying,giving,andresting—buteventuallytheybecomea
meansofmerit,protection,provision,orearningtheapprovalofGod.Ifweapproachthemthis
way,wewillforfeitourfreedom.
TheoriginalpurposeoftheschoolmasterwastohelpusunderstandwhatpleasesGod,but
wearenottoliveunderit.TheChildrenofIsraelcouldn’tandneithercanwe,atleastnot
withoutcomingundercondemnationwheneverwefallshort.
Whenwelackthedisciplinetodothesefivethings,wecanusethecommandmenttohelp
motivateusthesamewayaschoolmasterdoes.Forexample,therearesomewhodon’tgivein
adisciplinedway.IftheyneedthethreatfoundinMalachitomotivatethem,sobeit.However,
itnolongermotivatesme,becauseIhaveadesiretogive.Idon’tneedthecursedescribedin
Malachitomotivateme.
TheapostleJohnwrotein1:17,“ForthelawwasgiventhroughMoses,butgraceandtruth
camethroughJesusChrist.”Graceandtruthnotonlymotivateus,buttheygiveustheabilityto
dowhatpleasestheFatherwithouttheLaw.Graceandtruthwilldoitinawaythatsetsusfree
andkeepsusfree.
Irememberonedaypullingintothedrivewayasmyyoungestsoncamerunningoverto
greetme.Hepulledmytiredframeoutofthecarandwasobviouslyexcitedtoshowme
somethinginthegarage.Heledmebythehand,allthewhilelookingatmyfacewith
anticipation.Hehadcleanedthegarage.Itwassweptandeverythingwasinitsplace.Atthis
stageofhislife,hewasn’tdoingitforcoinsortoavoidcorrection,hesimplywantedtoplease
me.Hehadgraduatedtothelevelofgracewherehismotivationand,therefore,rewardwas
justtoseemyface.
WECANNOTBECOMELEGALISTICABOUTIT
Thegoal,then,istobedisciplinedwithoutbecominglegalistic.Therearethosewhotake
disciplinestoextremesbecausetheymisunderstandtheheartofGod.Ihavetalkedtomany
olderpeoplethroughtheyearswhohavetoldmestoriesoftheirparentsimposingstrictrules
uponthemaboutwhattheycoulddoonSunday.Whiletheparentsmayhavebeenwellmeaning,someofitjustsoundedmean.TheymadetheSabbathsomethingtodread,rather
thansomethingtolookforwardto.
TheSabbathwasgivenasagift,apromise,andadelightfromtheLord.However,itcanoften
becomesomethingelse,likeataskwetrytoavoiddoing,ajoylesscommandthatwewishwas
notimposeduponus,aninconveniencetoourambitionsanddesires.
YoucannotlegislatetheSabbath.Eventheelders,whoseresponsibilityitwastoensurethat
peoplekeptthelaw,couldnotkeepitthemselves,orenforcetherules.Ruleswereaddedto
rulesandtheygotsofarawayfromtheoriginalintentionthattheyresultedinsenseless
29
legalism.Forexample,theyweretoldthattheycouldnotclaptheirhandsorslaptheirhipson
theSabbath.Womenwerenotallowedtolookinamirror.Iwonderiftheselawscameabout
becausesomeonediditontheSabbathanditoffendedsomeoneelse,sotheymadeanew
rule.
Ourfallennature’slegalistictendencycausesustotrytofindwaysaroundtherules,looking
forloopholesthatwillhelpuscompromiseandfindwaystodoourownthing.
HerearesomeexamplesthatIhavecollectedthroughtheyearsofunusualwaysinwhich
peoplehavetriedtogetaroundthelaw.
AccordingtorabbinicalLaw,aJewishpersoncouldonlywalkahalf-kilometerfromtheir
houseontheSabbath.So,togetaroundthis,peoplewouldattachastringfromtheirhouseto
anotherhouse,thentothenext,goingasfarastheywantedtogo,explainingthat,technically,
theywerestillonehouse,pointingtothestringthatboundthemtogetherasproof.
-TheycouldnotcarryanythingontheSabbath.Thiscausedpeopletotrytofigureoutother
waystogetaroundthis,suchascarryingthingswiththeirmouth,orwithonefoot,soastobe
technicallyaccurate.Acarryingloadwasanythingthatweighedmorethantwodriedfigs.
-Theycouldnottieknots.Someoneasked,"WhatkindofknotscanItie?"Theanswer:They
couldonlytieknotsthatcouldbeuntiedwithonehand!
-TheycouldnotdoanywritingontheSabbathday.Someoneasked,“Howaboutletter
writing?”“Ok”,saidtheRabbi,“butonlyoneletter.”Sothepeoplewouldwriteoneletterwith
onehandandanotherletterwiththeotherhand,inordertowritemorewithouttechnically
breakingthelaw.Somewouldevenwritethefirstletterinonelanguage,andthesecondin
anotherlanguage.
-InIsrael,Ihavenoticedsignsfortheelevatorsinhotelsthatsaidtheywere“Sabbath
elevators”whichdidnotrequireanybuttontobepushedtoselectyourfloor.OntheSabbath
day,theelevatorssimplystoppedateveryfloor.
Ournatureistocreaterulesandthentrytogetaroundthem.However,asChristians,we
mustrememberthatwedon'thavetodoit…wegetto!
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CREATINGADESIRE
AyoungJewishmannamedArtKatzhadconvertedtoChristianity,whichcausedtheoldrabbis
togatheraroundhimandfindoutwhyhehadconverted.Astheytalkedtohim,tryingto
persuadehimtochangehismind,oneoldrabbifinallysaid,“Ah,butyouwillmisstheSabbath”.
Artknewwhathemeant.TheSabbathhadbecomeadelightformanyofthemandwasthe
mostjoyousthingintheirlives.EachSabbathincludedaspecialmealwiththefamily,atimeto
blesseachother,andtimetoreflectonGod’sgoodness.Artknewtheywereusingthisastheir
bestincentiveforhimtoreturntoJudaism.Hethoughtforaminutebeforeanswering,relying
onthewisdomoftheHolySpirit,beforehespoke.Hefoundhimselfanswering,“Yes,butin
Christ,everydayistheSabbath”.
Bythis,hemeantthatforusChristians,everydayshouldbringusrest,allowingustobefree
fromrulesandthecondemnationthattendtofollowthem.InChrist,wecanbeunderour
Father’shandofblessingandenterintorealtimesoffellowshipwithHim,ourfamily,and
friends,inawaythatfeedsusspirit,soul,andbody.InChrist,wecanrestinHisrighteousness,
notourownworksofrighteousness.InChrist,wehavethepotentialtoenteradailyrestand
experienceitsbenefits.
TheLordspokethroughIsaiahabouttheSabbathbeingcalledadelight.Perhapsthiswas
becausepeoplevieweditasaninconvenience,oraburden,whichinterferedwiththeirwork
andlife-style.TheideathatitshouldbeconsideredadelightrevealstousGod’sown
perspectiveonit.ThisishowHefeelsaboutit,orperhapswhatHeexperiencedonHisown
Sabbathday.AccordingtoIsaiah58:13-14,theSabbathrestissomethingthatwearetodelight
in:
“IfyouturnawayyourfootfromtheSabbath,
FromdoingyourpleasureonMyholyday,
AndcalltheSabbathadelight,
TheholydayoftheLordhonorable,
AndshallhonorHim,notdoingyourownways,
Norfindingyourownpleasure,
Norspeakingyourownwords,
ThenyoushalldelightyourselfintheLord;
AndIwillcauseyoutorideonthehighhillsoftheearth,
AndfeedyouwiththeheritageofJacobyourfather.
ThemouthoftheLordhasspoken.”
Therearelevelsofpleasure,fromsomethingyouliketosomethingyoudelightin.Thereare
degreesofpleasureanddelightisthehighestformofitthatwecanknow.Whatbringsyouthis
kindofpleasureataheartlevel?Therearethingsthatwelikeorenjoy,butdelightbringsus
realheartsatisfaction.Thetoneofthisprophecytakesitbeyondthelaw,turningitintoa
wonderfulincentive,withpromises,tobediscoveredbythosewhoapproachitinthisway:
"Ifyoudisciplineyourselftokeepadayofrest,bynotpursuingyourowninterestsandby
makingitdifferentfromalltherest;ifyoucallthisdayofrestadelight,adayfortheLord,
honoringitbynotdoingalltheusualthingsorpursuingyourowninterestsorsayingwhatyou
31
please.Forifyoudothis,youwillfindyourdelightintheLord,whichinturn,willallowyouto
roamthespiritualheightsandallowyoutocomeintotheinheritanceofJacob.Themouthof
TheLordhasspokenthis."(myparaphrase)
Thewordpleasureandtheworddelightaresimilar.Theideaofnotdoingyourownpleasure
sothatyoucanenterintothehighestformofpleasureisveryinviting.
WhenHesaid“…notdoingyourownways…”,Ibelievethismeansnotdoingthethingswe
normallydo.Theword“ways”meansawell-wornpath.Weneedtobreakfromwhatwealways
doinordertoenterintothehiddendelightthatGodhasputintotheSabbathrest.
Heisgivingusagreatkeyhere,thatallowsustoenterintoaheightenedspiritual
experience.ThewaytoenterintothiskindofdelightisbyhonoringtheLord,honoringwhatHe
honors,andbytakingadaytosetyourselfapartforHim.
NOTSPEAKINGYOUROWNWORDS
WhenHesaid,“…norspeakingyourownwords”Ibelievethismeanslimitingwhatwetalk
about.Ifwecutouttalkingaboutourwork,ourworries,orthethingswewranglewithothers
about,itwouldnotleavemuchtotalkabout.Actually,IthinkwhattheLordisafterhereis
morethanjustlimitingourtalktospiritualthings,itislimitingourtalkingperiod.Idon’tthink
werealizehowmuchenergyisspenttalking.Itisoneofthethingsthatdrainsour“batteries”
themost.Ibelievethatthequickestwaytorechargeourspirituallivesistostoptalking
altogether.ThisiswhatGoddidontheseventhdayafterHecreated,imagined,andspokefor
sixdaysinarow.Ifyouhaveevergoneonalongretreatwherethereisnotmuchopportunity
totalk,youknowtherevitalizingeffectofnottalking.Itisamazing.Itbringsclaritytoour
minds,opennesstoourspirits,andrestforournerve-strainedsouls.
InhisbookSabbathTime,TildenEdwardstellsaboutafamilywithseveralteenagerswho
decided,aspartoftheirSabbathcommitment,thattheywouldnotsayanythingnegativeor
criticalonSundays.Asthemonthswentonandtheykeptthiscommitment,theyrealizedmore
andmorethatalltheirneighborhoodfriendswerecomingoveronSundaysjusttohang
around.Nooneinthefamilyhadtoldthemaboutthiscommitment,butsomehowtheother
teenagersknewthattheirhomewasaspecialplacetobeonSunday.2.
WHATDOESITMEANTORIDEUPONTHEHIGHHILLS?
TheLordsaidthatHewouldcauseustorideuponthehighplacesoftheearth.Thiscouldmean
manydifferentthingstoeachofus,butwhatcomestomymindisthestoryofEricLiddell.He
wasaScottishrunnerwhowastocompeteinthe1924OlympicsontheBritishteam.Hewasa
strongChristianathletefromaverymission-mindedfamily;bothwereararityinGreatBritain
atthattime.
OntheboattotheParisOlympics,Ericfoundoutthatifhewastocompeteinthe100-meter
dash,hisbestdistanceandtheracehewasfavoredtowin,hewouldhavetorunonSunday.He
toldthemthathecouldnotrunontheSabbathandaskedthatthedaybechanged.Duringa
receptioninParis,hewasevenpressuredbyScotland'saristocracytorun.Theyaskedhimto
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changehismind.Ericresistedthepressurebysaying,"I'mafraidthereisnoway,sir.Iwon'trun
ontheSabbath,andthat'sfinal.Godmadecountries,andGodmakesthekingsandtherulesby
whichtheygovern.AndthoserulessaythattheSabbathisHis,andI,forone,intendtokeepit
thatway."
Whenthenewspapersgotwindofit,theyridiculedLiddell’sfaith.Hisowncountry’spress
calledhimatraitortohiscountry.Thepressuretochangehismindwasenormous.
TheSundayhewastocompete,hewenttochurchinParisandpreachedfromIsaiah40,
whichstates:"ButtheythatwaitupontheLordshallrenewtheirstrength;theyshallmountup
withwingsaseagles;theyshallrun,andnotbeweary;andtheyshallwalk,andnotfaint."
Later,asLiddellgotreadytocompeteinthe400-meter,aneventhehadnottrainedforand
wasnotfavoredtowin,someonepassedhimanote.Itsaid,“ItsaysintheOldBookthathe
whohonorsMe,willIhonor”.
Liddellnotonlywon,butalsobroketheworldrecord.
FromthegloriesofhistriumphintheOlympics,theworldwatchedasLiddellwenttoChina
toserveasateacherandmissionary.Manyyoungboyswereinspiredbyhismasculinestandfor
Christ,hisrole-modelasanathleteandhiscalltoleavebehindallearthlysuccesstobecomea
missionary.WhenlifeinChinabecamesodangerousthattheBritishgovernmentadvised
Britishnationalstoleave,hestayedbehindandwasmadeaprisonerofwar.Inthedetainment
campwhereheworkedwithrefugeechildren,teachingthemandmakingtheirstayeasier,he
developedabraintumor.EricLiddelldiedin1945.
However,thestorydoesnotstopthere.Inthe1980’s,whenweneededrolemodels,
someoneturnedEricLiddell’sstoryintoamoviecalledChariotsofFire,whichcaptivated
audienceseverywhere.ItwoneightAcademyAwardsandresultedinseveralbooksbeing
writtenaboutLiddellandhisfamily.Couldthisberidinguponthehighplacesoftheearth?
ROBINSONCRUSOE
AnotherstorythatillustratesthisisRobinsonCrusoe.ThiswaswrittenbyamannamedDaniel
Dafoe,whohadoncestudiedtobecomeaminister.Hewroteittowarnyoungpeopleabout
theperilsofrebellingagainsttheirparents.Thisiswhatthemaincharacterofthebookhad
done,whichresultedinhimexperiencingmanydifficultiesinhisyounglife,eventuallylanding
himonadesertedisland.Havingnothingtodo,hebegantoreadtheBible.Ashereadit,one
thingbecameclear;heneededtokeeparegularSabbathday.Ashecommittedtodoingthis,
hereceivedrevelationoftheLivingChrist,findingsalvationforhissoul.Thischangedhiswhole
existenceandhebegantoprosperineveryway.Hisreasonforwantingtogetofftheislandwas
tobeabletotellothersabouttheLord.Thisstorywasusedasacreativewaytospreadthe
Gospelandhasbeenturnedintomanyfilmsandreprintedinmanyotherways.Foryears,
Dafoe’sbookaboutthecastawaysoldmorebooksthananyotherbook,excepttheBible.The
wholestoryhingesonkeepingtheSabbath,honoringGod’sword,andsalvationthroughJesus
Christ.
Whoknowswhatridingthehighplacesmaymeaninyourownlife.Ithinkitcanmeanas
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manydifferentthingsastherearepeople.Whynotdothis:TrykeepingarealSabbathonthe
basisofIsaiah58foramonthofSundaysandseewhathappens.Whatcanyoulose,butyour
stressandtiredness?
WHATWASTHEHERITAGEOFJACOB?
Hereisourtextagain,takenfromtheMessage:"IfyouwatchyourstepontheSabbathand
don'tusemyholydayforpersonaladvantage,ifyoutreattheSabbathasadayofjoy,God's
holydayasacelebration,ifyouhonoritbyrefusing"businessasusual,'makingmoney,running
hereandthere--Thenyou'llbefreetoenjoyGod!Oh,I'llmakeyouridehighandsoaraboveit
all.I'llmakeyoufeastontheinheritanceofyourancestorJacob."Yes!Godsaysso!”(The
Message)
WhatwasJacob’sinheritance?OneofmyfavoritestoriesintheBibleiswhereJacobleaves
home,withoutsomuchasashepherd’sstaffinhishand.Earlyinhisjourneyhehadan
encounterwiththeLivingGod.TheLordrevealsHimselftoJacobinadream,introducing
HimselfastheGodofhisfatherandgrandfather.HethenofferstoprovideforJacob,protect
him,blesshim,bewithhimwhereverhegoes,givehimtheverylandhehadbeensleepingon
ashisown,andthenpromisedtobringhimbackhomesafely.Allofthiswasunsolicitedby
Jacob.HehadnotbeenaskingGodforanything.Likemostinheritanceswereceive,itwasjust
God’soverwhelminggoodnessbeingfreelygiven.Notonlythat,theybothknewhedidnot
deserveit.Ifanything,itwasGod’sloveforJacob’sgrandfatherthatbroughtitallabout.This
wastheheritageofJacob.NowtheLordpromisestodosomethingsimilarforthosewhohonor
theSabbath.
MOREINCENTIVES
HerearesomeotherincentivestowhetourdesiretoenterintoGod’srest:
Hisrestisglorious:
AndinthatdaythereshallbeaRootofJesse,whoshallstandasabannertothepeople;Forthe
GentilesshallseekHim,andHisrestshallbeglorious(Isaiah11:10).
AsGentiles,wehavebeengivensomethingglorious.Itisrest,restoneverylevel.Restnow,
andaneternalresttocome.Spiritualrest,physicalrest,restorationforoursouls,andresteach
dayfromourworriesandfears.ItisarestfarbeyondwhattheChildrenofIsraelexperiencedas
theycameintothePromisedLand.Theywouldenvyourgloriousrest.
Itpreventsprematuredeath:
IntheOldTestament,peoplewhobroketheSabbathwereputtodeath.Ifthiswasstilla
Commandmenttoday,wouldyoubeputtodeath?Itistheoneofthetencommandmentsthat
webreakthemostoften–andwiththeleastcompunction.Today,wearenotpeltedwith
stonesfornotresting,butwedodiespirituallyandoftenhurtourhealth,whichcanleadtoa
prematuredeath.
Thebuild-upofstresscankillourmarriages.Theysaythattherearetwomainthingsthat
couplesfightaboutwhichoftenleadtodivorce;sexandmoney.Ithinkpeopleneedtolook
deeperintothistoseehowstressandfatiguecanrobusofourdesireforromanceandcause
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peopletofightoverthingstheywouldotherwisenotfightabout.Thelackofdisciplinetorest
alsocarriesoverintobadspendinghabitsandpoordecisions.Whatiftherealkillerofour
marriagesandhealthisalackofrealrest?
Itpreventsempty,unfulfilledlives:
Ioftenhearpeopleblametheirspiritualemptinessontheirscheduleortheirjobs.Partofthe
troubleisthatSundayhasbecomejustasfullasanyotherdayoftheweek,sowegobackinto
theworkplacetiredandrunningonempty.Somepeople’slivesaresofull,theybecomeempty.
Itreleasescreativity:
Findingrestcouldleadustoawellspringofcreativity.Remember,thatitwastheCreatorwho
rested.IntheearlydaysofWaltDisneyStudios,oneofthehighlevelmanagersoftenfoundthe
guysinthecreativedepartmentjustgoofingoff.Hewouldsnapatthem,tellingthemtogetto
work,butitdidnotgetthemtoimprovetheiroutput.Finally,hecomplainedtoWaltaboutit.
Disney’sresponsewastoorderanewtenniscourtbuiltforhiscreativedepartment,aswellasa
fewotherthingsthatwouldhelpthemgoofoffinamoreconstructiveway.Asacreative
personhimself,heknewthatthesemenwouldaccomplishmoreiftheyhadsomedowntime
duringtheday.
Itkeepsourchurchesalive:
Asapastor,Ineededtolearnhowtorestthechurch.Onetime,BobMumfordwrylyquipped,
thatinordertobeamemberofsomechurchestoday,youhavetobephysicallyfit.
Healsosaidthatwhenourchurchprogramstaxthefamily,wearedefeatingourpurpose.As
apastor,itismyresponsibilitytosetthepace.Idecidehowmanymeetingsthepeoplecan
take,howmuchefforttheyshouldputforwardinourvariousprojects,andwhentosuspend
certainprogramsforatime.
Thereisasalvationingredientinrest:
ForthussaystheLordGod,theHolyOneofIsrael:`Inreturningandrestyoushallbesaved;in
quietnessandconfidenceshallbeyourstrength."Butyouwouldnot’…(Isaiah30:15).
Thewordsavedusedherealsoincludestheideaofbeinghealed,protected,andpreserved.
Restinghasakindofsalvationinit.
HERESTORESMYSOUL
Oursoulsneedtoberestoredcontinually.ThiscomesfromallowingJesustobeourShepherd,
whichtakesusbacktoPsalm23:TheLordismyshepherd;Ishallnotwant.Hemakesmetolie
downingreenpastures;Heleadsmebesidethestillwaters.Herestoresmysoul;Heleadsmein
thepathsofrighteousnessforHisname'ssake(Psalms23:1-3).
Thisdoesnothappenautomatically,butissomethingwemustasktheLordtodo.Wemust
bringourworries,cares,andanxietiesbeforeHim.Allthethingsthatstrainournervesand
createfearsshouldbebroughtbeforeHimoften.Inthisway,Herestoresoursouls.
SomepeopledecidewhetherornottheyneedaSabbathbasedonwhetherornottheyare
physicallytired.OneofthefirstthingswelearnabouttheSabbathisthatitisprimarilyarest
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foroursouls.Weneedtorestfromtheweightofresponsibilityandthestressthatwecarry.
Whilethisweightcannotbemeasuredinpounds,orhours,ortaskscompleted,itcanbefelt
physically.Bythetimeitisnoticeableinourbodies,it'shardtofindrestforoursouls.
AtonetimeinAmerica,jukeboxesweresopopularthatyoucouldhardlyfindanypeaceand
quietinarestaurant.Thenin1953,Columbiarecordscameoutwitharecordcalled“Three
MinutesofSilence”.Therecordwasactuallyabighitwithpeoplewhojustwantedtobuysome
space.Inthe1960’s,someoneelsecameoutwithanentireLPwithnothingonit.Itwassoldas
52minutesofsilence,forthosewhowantedabreakfromallthenoise.
Thatsuchathingcouldbeonthemarkethelpsustorecognizehowvaluablesilenceisasa
commodity.Infact,tohaveityoumayhavetopayforitonewayoranother.Youmightmissa
phonecall,oryourfavoritetelevisionshow,orsomethingyourfriendsmighthavetosay.Not
everyoneappreciatesitwhenweshutthemout,inordertoshutdown.Yet,thereissomething
restorativetooursoulswhenwebecomequietforawhile.EventheLordHimselfstopped
talkingaftercreatingtheworldinsixdays.HetooktheseventhdayoffbecauseHeneededit.If
Heneededthequiet,howdoweexpectourspiritstothrivewithoutit?
Whatifwethoughtofsilenceasagiftthatwegivetoeachother,husbandstowives,and
kidstomomanddad?Weneedtolookatitasawaytoinvestineachother’sspiritualwellbeing.
THEORDEROFREST
Thereisanordertorest.IfwelookatPsalm23again,weseehowourPastorbeginstorestus
fromtheoutsidein.Hestartsbyfeedingusandmakingusliedown,thenHerestoresoursoul.
IntheOldTestamentthesoulandspiritofmanweretreatedasone.ItisnotuntiltheNew
TestamentthattheWordmadeadistinctionbetweenoursoulsandspirits,dividingitintotwo
parts.(1Thessalonians5:23)Thepointis,restbeginsontheoutsideandworksitswayin.
Finally,Hetakescareofthedistractionsandanxietiesthatrobusoflastingrest.Thenourrestis
complete.Theproblemwithmostvacationsisthattheyareusuallyonlyaimedatphysicalrest.
Unlesssomethinghappenstorestoreoursouls,wewillgohomeneedingavacationfromour
vacation.
Ifthereisnospiritualrest,thentherereallyisnotmuchinthewayofrealrest:
-Weneedrestforthebody
-Weneedrestforthesoul–ourmind,ourwill,andouremotions
-Weneedrestforthespirit
Ifwegotoabeautifullocation,getawayfrompeople,stoptalking,getsomethingtoeat,lie
downinapeacefulplace,andchangeourpace,wecanthengotothenextlevelofrest.We
beginbyoff-loadingourcaresandstressontoHim,askingtheLordtorestourhearts,allowing
Himtospeaktous,reprioritizingourlivesandleadingusintorepentanceandinnerpeace.Then
weallowHimtopourfreshoilonourheads,dealingwiththethingsthataredistractingand
irritatingus.
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Weneedsmall“vacations”likethiseachday,notjustinabigwayonceortwiceayear.
STOP,DROP,ANDROLL
Ourchildrenweretaughttostop,drop,androlliftheirclothesevercaughtonfire.Thisiseasy
torememberandaneffectivetoolinburnoutpreventionaswell.Weneedtorecognizeour
conditionandstop.Oncewestopandcomeaside,weneedtostopcarryingtheworryand
anxiety.Thinkofeachworryorcarethatwecarryasabrick.Ifwehadtocarryonebrickit
wouldnotbetoobad,unlesswecarrieditalongtime.Eachworrystacksuplikebricksuntilwe
arestaggeringunderaheavyload.Thenwewonderwhyourmusclesacheandourlowerback
hurts.Physically,weareaffectedbythestressinourlivesthesameasiftheyareliteralbricks.
Oncewestop,weneedtodropthebricksoneatatime.Ioftendothisbynamingeachbrickor
carebeforetheLord.Sometimesthistakesseveraldays,dependingonmyload.
BecauseIamaresponsibleperson,Icannotjustdropthingsandwalkaway.Thedeeperour
senseofresponsibility,themorestress,worry,andanxietywetendtostrugglewith.
Irresponsiblepeopledon’tusuallysuffermuchfromthiskindofburnout.
Therollingpartisthebestpart.RollinginvolvesgivingtheresponsibilitytotheLord.By
makingHimresponsible,wedon’thavetocarryitanylonger.WhentheLordisresponsible,He
doesnotletitfallbetweenthecracksorrotontheshelf,HelooksafteritinHiswayandinHis
time.RollingitupontheLordisactuallywhatitmeanswhenPeterwrotetothepastorsin1
Peter5:7,tellingthemto“castyourcareupontheLord,forHecaresforyou”.Thewordcasting
here,involvesrollingitupontheLord.Thewordcareinthisversehastodowithresponsibility.
Wecouldsay,“RollyourresponsibilityupontheLordforHeisresponsibleforyou.”
ThisisillustratedinGenesis22:8byAbrahamtakingIsaacupthemountaintosacrificehim
totheLord.Astheymadetheirjourney,carryingthewood,knife,andcoals,Isaacaskedhis
fatherwherethelambwas.Abraham,knowingthathehadbeenaskedtoofferhisonly
begottenson,said,“Godwillseetoit.”IntheHebrew,thisisJehovah-Jirah.(Paraphrasedverse
14)WhenwegiveourworriestotheLord,weareaskingHimto“seetoit”.Whentheworries
comebacktoroost,wesimplycastthemoff,saying,“Godwillseetoit”.Heisveryresponsible
tolookafterwhateverwegivetoHim.
CRASH’N’BURN
Therearedifferentkindsofrest.First,thereisthedisciplinedkindofrest,whichisdoneina
systematicway,choosingthetimeandplaceandstickingwithitnomatterwhat.Thisisnotthe
vacationkindofrest,butsomethingthatwouldbescheduledmorefrequently.Thenthereis
theforesightkindrestwhereyouplanforitinadvanceinordertorestupforwhatiscoming.
Thereisarestthatyoudoafteraperiodofhardworkandthekindofrestyoudotogetready
forwhatisahead.
Thenthereisthecrash’n’burnkindofrest.Thiscomesafteryouhaverunyourselfragged,
becomecompletelystressedout,andbeguntogetmostofyourstaminafromcaffeine.This
kindofrestusuallyfollowsafewburntrelationships,minimaltimeswiththeLord,andthe
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over-indulgenceofyourflesh.Thecrash’n’burnkindofrestisadesperateattempttorecover
fromburn-out.Evenwhenyoutakethetimetorestitseemslikenoamountofittouchesthe
tirednessdeepinyoursoul.Evenifyousleptfor48hoursinarow,thereisnorealrestinit.The
crash’n’burnkindofrestisusuallyspentfightingoffadepressioninoursystemaswefendoff
allkindsofregretandthesenseoffailurefromastringofbaddecisions.Oneofthesymptoms
ofthiskindofburnoutisthatyourealizeyoudon’twanttobearoundanyone…andnobody
wantstobearoundyou.Youhaveaknotinthebackofyourneckandanotheroneinyour
stomach.
Somepeopledon’tburnoutrightaway,butjustsmolderforalongtime.Someoftheburn
comesfromwithin,whenweresentthingsotherpeoplehavedoneornotdone,theunfair
circumstanceswefeeltrappedin,andthenever-endingto-dolistfilledwiththingswedon’t
reallywanttodo.
Oftenthisforcedrestcomesfromaphysicaloremotionalbreakdown.Wejustcan’tgoon
anylonger.Sometimessicknessfinallyforcesustostop.Symptomsandailmentsjustkeep
stackingup.Poppingpillsdoesn’treallywork,anymorethanpouringaliquidintoamechanical
problemtokeepyourcarontheroad.
Finally,youjustcallinsick.Ifpeoplecould,andtheirbosseswouldletthem,theywouldcall
in“sickoflife”.
Whatwouldmakemoresensethanthecommoncrash’n’burnmethodofrestingistaking
theinitiativetochooseshortperiodsoftimetocomeasidetorestbeforetheLord.During
theseshortperiods,adayoraweekendfromtimetotime,whereyouunburdenyourheartto
theLord,restin,andperhapsreadagoodbook,youfeelbetter.Youcanfacetheworldagain.
THEFREEDOMFROMSTRIVING
Gettingoutofthecockpitofakayakcanbeabittrickyanytimeyoudoit,butforsome
reasonthistimeIdecidedtoputmyfootonalarge,slipperyrock.Ihadsecondthoughts
aboutitbeforeIsteppedoutbutwentaheadanyway.Itwasmyfirsttimefallingintothe
waterfullyclothed.
Thosestandingbylaughed,andallIcoulddowaslaughaswell.
Therewasnoriskofgettinghurt.Ihadalifejacketonandthewaterwastheperfect
temperature,soIdecidedtojustletmyselfdriftdown-riverwiththecurrent.Itwasoneof
thehighlightsofmysummer.Ikeptthinking,Lord,thisishowIwanttolivemylife;Ijust
wanttobelikealeafontheriver.
IamnotsurehowfarIwent,butitseemedtotakeforeverasIlettherivercarryme.
Everyoneshouldgettodothisonceinawhile,especiallyasyouenteryourfifties.It’snot
forkids,astheyhavethiskindoffunallthetime.It’sforthosewhoselivesarefully
scheduled,maxedout,risk-free,andpredictable.
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Inthesameway,whenwerestinGod’spre-ordainedpurposes,becominglikealeafon
theriver,wenolongerhavetostrivewithpeopleforpositionormakeroomforourselves.
WecanrestinwhatHehaspurposedforus.Jesusdidthis,asweseeinMatthew12:15-21.
Hedidn’traiseHisvoiceinself-promotion.TheoppositionwastryingtokillHim,soHejust
movedon.Hegotintoanewarea,andGod’spowerbrokeout.GreatcrowdsfollowedHim,
andHehealedthemall.ButHewassofree;Hedidn’tneedtheirpromotion,soHetold
themnottotellanyone.ThisfulfilledthatwhichwasspokenbyIsaiahtheprophet,who
said:
Behold!MyServantwhomIhavechosen,MyBelovedinwhomMysouliswellpleased!
IwillputMySpirituponHim,andHewilldeclarejusticetotheGentiles.Hewillnot
quarrelnorcryout,norwillanyonehearHisvoiceinthestreets.AbruisedreedHewill
notbreak,andsmokingflaxHewillnotquench,tillHesendsforthjusticetovictory;
andinHisnameGentileswilltrust.
Jesusnotonlydidn’thavetopromoteHimself,Hecoulddotheveryopposite,telling
othersnottomakeHimknown.Hewasn’tworriedthatanyoneelsewouldtakeHisposition
orgetmorerecognition.Herestedinthepre-determinedwillofGodforHislife.
Wecandothesamething,evenintentionallymakingithardforGodtoblessus.Wecan
becomelikealeafonariver,restingintheundercurrentofGod.
(ThematerialabovehasbeenpreviouslypublishedinmybookCultivatingYourCall)
WHATHAVEILEARNEDABOUTRESTING?
Aftermanyyearsoftryingtorest,allIcansayisthatitisnotaneasydisciplinetomaster,which
iswhyIcallittheworkofresting.Learningtorestorretreatdoesnotcomenaturallytoanyof
us,neitherwillitjustshowupinourschedules.Wemustchoosetodoit,seeingitassomething
wemustlabortoenterinto.Itmustbedoneasaspiritualdiscipline,asawayofbecoming
morelikeJesus,whofoundthebalancebetweenworkingreallyhardandtakingtimetorest
andpray.
IHAVELEARNEDTHATIDON’TKNOWHOWTOREST:Ihonestlydon’tknowhowtorest.I
don’tknowwhatIneedatthisstageoflife,orhowtogoabouttappingintorealrest.Ifitwere
lefttome,Iwouldnotknowwheretobegintorestme.NomatterhowmanytimesIhavedone
thisbefore,IstillneedJesustotakemethere,againandagain.OnlyHeknowsmeand
understandswhatIneedatthismoment.Thewholethingisarevelation,aspiritualexperience,
andsomethingthathasadeepspiritualaspecttoit,whichwecannotaccomplishonourown.I
oftenfindmyselfpraying,“Lord,takemebytheheartandleadmeintorest”.
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IHAVELEARNEDTHATIHAVETOLABORTOENTERINTOREST:Again,findingrestisnot
naturaltous.Wemustchooseitasgift,wemustseizeitasadiscipline.Ironically,wemust
labortoenterintorest.
“Letuslabortoenterintorest”(Hebrews4:11).
Irealizethewriterwastalkingaboutgoingtoheaven,buttheprinciplecanalsobeappliedto
enteringintoresthereandnow.Itwillnotjusthappen;wehavetoworkatit,prepareforit,
andinsistuponit.Eventoday,theJewishpeoplewhoobservearealSabbathprepareallweek
forit.OnFriday,thefinalpreparationsaredonebeforethesunsetssotheydon'thavetodo
anythinguntilthesunsetonSaturday.Inotherwords,theyworkatrest.Ifwewaitforrestto
come,itmayneverhappen.Wemustmakeithappen.
Wemustchoosethisdayofrestasagift;wemustdoitasadiscipline.WeshouldaskGodto
takeusthroughvariousdegreesofrest,suchas:
-learningtorestingrace,ratherthanourownworks
-learningtorestfromwranglingandstrife,knowingthatHewillfightourbattles
-learninghowtoceasefromworryandfear,restinginHislove
-learninghowtorestwithineachday
-learninghowtotakeamajorrest,onedayinseven
-learninghowtotakeperiodicrests,suchasquarterlyretreatsandtimesofcomingasideonan
annualbasis
-learninghowtolongfortheultimaterest,wherewerestfromallourlaborsandgotoHeaven
ThisconceptofobservingaSabbathdayasagiftfromGodisarealrevelation.Itisaspiritual
experiencethatrequiresGod’senablinggracetohelpusdoit.Itshouldnotbeseenasa“have
to”,butrathera“getto”.Itcannotbelegislatedoraccomplishedthroughmorerule-keeping.It
hastocomefromthevolitionofourownheartsandspringfromadesire.Perhapsthat’swhy
theLordputitintermsofapromiseratherthanathreat.
IHAVELEARNEDTHATNAPSAREAGIFTFROMGOD:WhenIwasyounger,Ihatedtakingnaps.
Now,Iseethemasoneofthesweetspotsinanyday.Adaywithoutanapisnotanespecially
goodday.Ithinkitiswisetotakeanapduringtheday,especiallyifIamgoingtobein
meetingsintheevening.WhenItravel,Ialwaystrytocomeasideforrestandquiet.Tome,this
hasbecomeasimportantasprayerandfastingforthemeetings.IfIprayforthemeetingsbut
donotrest,Iamnotnearlyaseffective.
IHAVELEARNEDTHATITISONEOFTHEPRIMARYREASONSBEHINDMORALFAILURE:Gordon
McDonaldinhisbook"OrderingYourPrivateWorld"suggeststhatthelackofrestisamajor
contributortothemoralfailurescommittedbythoseinministry.Ifthedevilcanleadusaway
fromourrest,hecanmoreeffectivelyfrustrateoureffortstobespiritual,andatthesametime
distractuswithtemptationsthatwewouldnormallybrushoff.
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-Whenwearetiredwetendtoyieldtoourfleshmore.
-Beingtiredisoneofthebiggercontributorstothebreakdownofourmarriagesandother
significantrelationships.Nodoubt,itstrainsourrelationshipwithourkids.
-Beingtiredistheleadingcontributortonotbeingabletohandlestress,worry,and
depression,whichseemtogrowwhenweareweary.
-Thephysicalsideeffectsonourhealthfrombeingtiredallthetimeareincalculable.
IHAVELEARNEDTHATTHEREISAHIGHCOSTFORNOTRESTING:InTheTwenty-FourHour
Society,MartinMoore-Edesaysourmostnotoriousindustrialaccidentsinrecentyears—Exxon
Valdez,ThreeMileIsland,Chernobyl,thefatalnavigationalerrorofKoreanAirLines007—all
occurredinthemiddleofthenight.WhentheUSSVincennesshotdownanIranianA300airbus
killingall290peopleaboard,fatigue-stressedoperatorsinthehigh-techCombatInformation
Centeronthecarriermisinterpretedradardataandrepeatedlytoldtheircaptainthejetwas
descendingasiftoattackwhen,infact,theairlinerremainedonanormalflightpath.Inthe
Challengerspaceshuttledisaster,keyNASAofficialsmadetheill-fateddecisiontogoahead
withthelaunchafterworkingtwentyhoursstraightandgettingonlytwotothreehoursof
sleepthenightbefore.Theirerrorinjudgmentcostthelivesofsevenastronautsandnearly
killedtheU.S.spaceprogram.
Weignoreourneedforrestandrenewalattheperilofothersandourselves.3.
IHAVELEARNEDTHATINEEDTORESTFORWHAT’SAHEAD:Weshouldapproachthe
disciplineoftakingaregularSabbathasrestingforsomethingratherthanrestingfrom
something.Forme,thisminoradjustmentinmymotivationhaschangedeverything.Ineverfelt
entitledtorestfromwhatIwasdoing,butIcouldseethewisdomofrestinginpreparationfor
whatisahead.
IHAVELEARNEDTHATITISTHEBESTWAYTOPREPAREFORPREACHING:KennethHaginwas
earnestlyfastingandprayinginpreparationforarevivalmeetingwherehewasthemain
speaker.DuringthistimetheLordspoketohim,tellinghimtojustrestinstead.Hefoundthat
hewasfarmoreeffectivewhenhedidthis.IhavefoundthatifIcanmaketimeforanap,it
helpspreparemeforpreaching.ItisnotjustthesleepIneed,butforme,itisahighlycreative
time.AsIlaystill,theinspirationIcravecomestome,inawaythatisnotforced.Findingtime
torestisthebestwaytoprepareforatimeofministry,amissiontrip,orwhenpreparingfora
spiritualbattle.4.
IHAVELEARNEDTHATITHASTOBEDONEFORTHERIGHTREASONS:Somehavethe
mistakenideathatitisselfishtorest.Iamsuretherearethosewhocoulddoitinaselfishway,
ratherthanasadiscipleofJesus,butifHeisleadingyouandbeingLordofit,itwillnotbedone
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forselfishreasonsorinacarnalway.Whenyouthinkabouthowmuchbetteryouareinyour
relationshipsandhomelifewhenyouarerested,thenyoucouldsaythatfindingrestisoneof
themostconsideratethingsyoucandoforthosearoundyou.Havingthisdisciplineinyourlife
willalsoaddyearstoyourministryandmakeyoumoreeffectiveallaround.Yourtakingtime
asideisagifttothepeopleyouarecalledtoserve.IfwefollowHimindiscipleship,Hewilllead
usintoperiodofrest.
IHAVELEARNEDTHATITISTHEBESTWAYTOKEEPMYEDGE:Thereisanoldstoryabouttwo
menwhohadbeenhiredtoclearafieldoftrees.Thecontractcalledforthemtobepaidper
tree.Theonemanwantedthedaytobeprofitable,sohebeganswingingtheaxerelentlessly.
Theothermanseemedonlytobeworkinghalfasfast.Hetookaresteverynowandthen,
sittingundertheshadeofoneofthetrees.Thefirstman,sweatingandstraining,resentedthis
andswunghisaxeevenharder.Hekeptchoppingawayuntileverymuscleandtendoninhis
bodywasscreaming.
Attheendoftheday,hewasterriblysore,buttheothermanwassmilingandtellingjokes.
Whentheycountedthetreeseachmanhadcutdown,amazingly,themanwhohadrestedhad
cutdownmoretrees!
“How'dyououtworkme?"theexhaustedmanpanted.“YousataroundintheshadeandInever
tookabreak.”
Theothermansaid,“Ididtakesomebreaks,butwhileIdid,Ialsotookthetimetosharpen
myaxe.”5.
IHAVELEARNEDTHATIDON’THAVETOBEINCONSTANTWARFARE:Ihaveseensome
pastorswhoactasthoughtheyareinconstantwarfare,butthisisnotmyexperience.WhenI
wasakid,wehadbowsandarrows.Ilikedthelookofminehangingonthewallstrungand
readyforuse.However,Ilearnedthatifthebowwasleftstrung,itweakenedboththestring
andthebow.ThosewhosaythatGodhasledthemintoceaselessministryorunendingwarfare
cannotreallybesubmittingtotheLordoftheSabbath.Arealwarriorknowsthatthereare
timeswhentheyneedtounstringtheirbowinorderforittoremainstrongandflexible.
IHAVELEARNEDTHATMOSTCHURCHSPLITSCOMEFROMEXHAUSTION:Ihavenoticeda
pattern:churchesthatgofromonestrenuousperiodtoanotheroftenhavechurchsplits.Going
fromonerevivalcampaigntoanother,onebuildingprogramtoanother,willoftenbecounterproductive.Asthepastor,Imustfindarhythmforthelifeofourchurch.Thereneedstobe
timesofout-putfollowedbytimeswherewejustrestandreceive.Apastorwhoisfollowing
theLordwillnotrunhischurchintoexhaustion.Thosewhodo,runthegreatestriskofhavinga
churchsplit.
InthechurchthatIpastoredformanyyears,wehadasmallgroupministrythatgatheredin
homesforsixweeksinarow.Wetookeveryseventhweekoff.Icalledthisthefallowweek.We
encouragedpeopletostayhomeandspendtimewiththeirfamily.Twiceayear,wealsoshut
theentireprogramdownforacoupleofmonths,overthesummerandwinterholidays.This
42
addedlifetotheprogram.Notonlydidtheleaderslikeit,butwemaintainedanaverage
attendanceofabout90%ofourchurchtakingpartintheprogramformanyyears.Whenitwas
timetostartthegroupsupagain,thepeoplecouldn’twaittoattend.Theirdesirewasrenewed.
Thesamewastrueofourchildren'sprogram.Itwasagreatministry,buteachyearweshut
itdownforacoupleofmonthsatatime.Theteachersusedthistimetorestandoftenbecome
moreexcitedabouttheprogramastheyearswenton.
Wenotonlyrestedteachersbutotherswhoservedinkeypositions.Ifsomeoneisreally
goodatteachingSundayschool,thenwewouldtellthem,"Thankyousomuchforteaching.
You'resuchagoodteacherthatwewanttogiveyousometimeoff.Takearest.Getintoasmall
group.Weappreciatewhatyoudosomuch."Restwastreatedasareward.
IknewofachurchwheretheyhadaSundaySchooldirectorwhowassogoodatherministry
thatshewasconfinedtothebasementofthechurchforyears.Itwaslikeajailsentence.Inall
thattimesheneverheardthepastorpreachonce.Nobodywouldrelieveherbecauseshewas
sogood,sogifted,theywouldsay,"Letherdoit."Thepastormadenoprovisionforher.The
nextthingyouknow,sheleftthechurch,leftchildren’sministry,andwentontosomething
else.
IHAVELEARNEDTHATWENEEDTOFINDWAYSTORESTOURPASTORS:WhenIfirsttaught
theSabbathconcepttoourpeople,theybegantotakerestingmoreseriouslythemselves,not
becausetheyhadto,butbecausetheysawthewisdomofit.Theyalsoencouragedmetotake
timeawaytobewiththeLord.Theynevercomplainedaboutmytakingtimetocomeaside.
TheyknewhowcommittedIwastothechurchandtotheministryandtheydidnothaveto
wonderifIwastakingadvantageofthem.TheyalsoknewthatIwaseasiertobearoundwhenI
hadachancetounloadandrestupfortheministryahead.Beyondthis,theyallowedmeto
takeeveryseventhyearaside.Idon’tremembereverhearinganyonesuggestthatmypaybe
cutorthatIbepenalizedinsomeotherwayfordoingthis.Ididn’thavetoputupwithanyof
thepettinessIhaveheardabout,dockingthepastor’spayorcountingthedaystheyspenton
retreatsasvacationtime.Butmanypastorsdo.Duringthesemonthsofrest,Iwouldpreach
sometimesanddosomethingsthathadtobedone,butotherwise,IwasfreetolettheLord
leadmeintorest.Thechurchalwayswentthroughagrowthspurtaftereachofthese
sabbaticals.ItalsoseemedasthoughmyministrywouldgotoanotherleveleachtimeIdidthis.
Itwaslifeforme,andIbelieveitwaslife-givingforthechurch,allowingusalltobecomemore
effectiveforthelonghaul.
Psalm23closeswiththerealizationthatintheend,itisGod’sgoodnessandmercythat
followsus,helpingusbeabletoruntherace.Ifitdidn’t,perhapsnoneofuswouldendwell,
whichisthegoal.MyheartissetondwellinginthehouseoftheLordforever,whichisthe
ultimaterest.
AddSectiononRememberingtoBreatheHere
43
QUESTIONSANDANSWERS
Q.IsSaturdaytheonlyGod-sanctioneddayofrestorisitSunday?
A.Ithinkthatentiredebateisadistractionfromtherealissue,whichistakingadayofrest.I
believeGodismoreconcernedthatwerest,onanyparticulardaytodoit.Ibelievethat
consistentlytakingonedayofsevenisthemostimportantthing.Inthebeginning,I
experimentedwiththeday,tryingtofindonethatwouldworkforme.Ieventriedrestingone
infiveandoneineight,butoneinsevenwaskey.
Q.Aren’tpeoplewhotakenapsallthetimeandarealwaystakingtimeoffjustspiritualizing
theirlaziness?
A.Perhapssomeare.Motivationreallymatters.Therearesomepeoplewhodonotaccomplish
verymuchintheKingdom,buttakelotsoftimeoffforleisure.Let’snotconfuserestingwith
laziness.
SUGGESTIONSFORASUNDAYSABBATH
Q.HowwouldyousuggestIbeginkeepingaregularSabbath?
A.StartyourSabbathonSaturdayevening.Makethemealandsetoutthekidsclothingfor
churchonSaturdayafternoon.
SleepinabitonSundaymorning.(Youcandothis,ifyouhavepreparedforitinadvance)
Whenyougotochurch,expectGodtobringresttoyoursoulbyaskingHimtospeaktoyou.
Afterchurch,justfocusonthefamilyandenjoyyourfriends.
Don’ttalkaboutyourwork.
Tellyourselfitisyourdaynottoworryaboutthings.
Takeanapintheafternoon.Ifyouhaveyoungchildren,youmayhavetotaketurnsdoingthis
toensureyourspousegetstheirrest,too.
Goforaneveningstroll.(RememberhowIsaacwentoutintohisfieldateven-tideand
meditatedupontheLord.)
Walktochurch,wherepossible.
Trytodoaslittletalkingaspossible.
IfyourSundayisjusttoobusy,pickanotherday.Thisisallrighttodoaslongasitisonein
seven.Itreallydoesn'tmatterwhichoneofthesevendaysitis.
Setasideagoodbooktoreadonthisday.
Keepawayfromstressfulstuff,likeyourphone,television,thebathroomscales,andbalancing
yourcheckbook.WorkoutthefamilySundaymorningbathroomscheduleinadvance.Don't
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talktoeachotherinthemorning.Ifyoutendtofightonthewaytochurch,makeitahabitto
picksomeoneupforchurch.Itwillbemoredifficulttofightinfrontofthem.
Q.AsIpastor,whatdoesyourpersonalSabbathdaylooklike?
A.Firstofall,noticeintheBiblethatthereisnolistofthingsaChristiancannotdoonthe
Sabbath.Alistdoesnotexistforus.However,therearethingsIhavelearnedtodoandnotdo,
whichreflectsmypersonaldesires,disciplines,andpriorities.Asanexample,herearesomeof
thethingsonmypersonallist.
Itrytosleepin.
Itrytogoin“slowmotion”.
Iresistanythingthatlookslikeaschedule.
Idon'tdiscussmyworkwithanyone.
Ibreakstepwithweekdaypatterns.
Idon'tlookatmycalendar,orwearmywatch.
IusuallystudytheBiblesystematically,butonthisday,IreaditexpectingGodtospeaktomy
ownneeds.
IwilloftenreadoutofadifferenttranslationoftheBible,justtomakeitdifferent.
Ioftenprayintonguesatlength(Isaiah28:12).
ItrytofindadifferentplacethanInormallyusetopray.
Imostlyprayprayersofgratitude.
Itrytostayaloneandtalkaslittleaspossible.
Sometimes,Ienjoyacasualdriveoragoodwalk.
Ireallyenjoyreadingagoodbook.
Q.WhataresomeofthethingsyouhavelearnedabouttakingaSabbaththatwouldhelpother
pastorskeepit?
A.IamstilllearningabouthowtotakeaSabbathandneedtocontinuetogrowinthis
discipline.Herearesomethingsthathavehelpedmealongthewaysofar:
ItrynottocallMondaymydayoff;itismySabbath.IfIcallitmydayoff,itleavesthe
impressionthatitisminetodoasIplease.BycallingitaSabbath,itremindsme,andothers,of
itspurposeandpriority.
IhavecommittedtoadayandIwon’tbudgefromit.Itdoesn’treallymatterwhichday,aslong
asitisoneinseven.Noothercombinationofdayswillsatisfyourneedforrest.
SomepeoplewillnotunderstandwhatIamdoing.So,likefasting,Idon’tmakeabigdealabout
it.IjustkeepittomyselfanddoituntotheLord.
TheLordsaidthedayshouldbeholy.Onedefinitionofthewordholymeanstobedifferent.
45
Thisdayshouldlookdifferentfromanyotherday.
WhenIfirststartedtakingaSabbath,Iwouldoftenfeelguiltyabouttakingthistimeaside
becausetherewassomuchtobedoneandsomanyneedstobemet.Theonlywayaroundthis
wastodoitformyFather’seyes,andnotbemovedbywhatothersthoughtofme.
Itaughtthisconcepttoourchurch,toinspirethemtotakeaSabbath.Theynotonlycaughtthe
concept,butbegantohelpguardmySabbath.IrarelygotacallonMonday.
WhileItriednottobeavailable,sometimestherewerepressingneedsthatcameup.Ididn’t
makeabigdealaboutit;Ijustdiditandmovedon.Iconsideredthis“takingtheoxoutofthe
ditch.”(Luke14:5)
Getthesupportyourspouse.Ifyouarenotunifiedinthismatter,itwillbeathornintheflesh.
Youwillneedtosupporteachother’seffortstodothis.Youbothmaynotalwaysbeabletorest
atthesametime,especiallyifyouhavelittleonestotakecareof.Youmayhavetoalternate
daysoftheweek.
Ensurethatyourkidstakearest.Theywillresistdoingthis,butitactuallybenefitsthemand
improvestheirbehavior.Don’tlayitdownasalaw,buthelpthemseethebenefitsofdoingit.
Justbeforeyourdayofrest,itisgoodthingtosavorthesuccessesyouhadintheweek.Just
beforeGodrested,HelookedaroundandsaidthatHisworkwasgood!Ifyouthinkofallthe
thingsthathavenotgonewell,itwillinterferewithyourrest.
Savortherealrichesinlife.EnjoyyourblessingsandHisgraceinyourlife.Somepeopletake
timetoblesseachmemberoftheirfamily.Ifyoucannotdothisaloud,doitinprayer.
Re-committokeepingtheGod-givenprioritiesinyourlife.
Somepeopledecidewhetherornottheyneedarestbasedonwhetherornottheyare
physicallytired.OneofthefirstthingswelearnabouttheSabbathisthatitisprimarilyarest
foroursouls.Weneedtorestfromtheweightofresponsibilityandthestressthatwecarry.
Whilethisweightcannotbemeasuredinpounds,orhours,ortaskscompleted,itcanbefelt
physically.Bythetimeitisnoticeableinourbodies,it'shardtofindrestforoursouls.
WeshouldapproachthedisciplineoftakingaregularSabbathasrestingforwhatisahead
ratherthanjustrestingfromwhatwehavedone.Forme,thisminoradjustmentinmy
motivationchangedthings.IneverfeltentitledtorestfromwhatIwasdoing,butIcouldsee
thewisdomofrestinginpreparationforwhatisupahead.
Q.Canwerestthingsaswellaspeople?
A.BeyondapersonalSabbath,theLordtoldthepeopleofIsraeltoresttheiroxen,theirland,
andtheirservants.Somefarmershavetakenthisconcepttoheartandrotatetheirfields
allowingthegroundtobecomefallow.Theyfeeltheyaremoreproductivethisway.Thosewho
don’tlettheirfieldsgofallow,enduphavingtorelyonchemicalstotryandkeeptheground
producing.Peoplewhodon’trestenduplookingforpeace,tranquility,orsleepinabottle,too.
46
Q.Asapastor,youhavetakenafewyear-longsabbaticals.WhatwouldyourecommendIdoto
begintheprocess?
A.First,youneedtoplanforitalongwayout.IhadtosetinstonethatIwasgoingtoreston
myseventhyearfromthebeginning.Thencommittoit,nomatterwhatthechurchisgoing
throughatthetime.IfIhadn’tdonethis,Ilikelywouldnothavetakenthetimeaway.
Itisalsoveryimportanttohaveyourteamcommittedtodoingit.Itwillmeanmoreworkfor
them,whichreleasesthemtostepupmore,whichisthegoalanyway.Ifyoudon’thaveateam
aroundyou,Iamnotsurehowitcanbedone.Ifeelsorryforthepastorwhoisouttherealone,
withapaidsecretaryandaboard,butnothavingateamofpastorstoworkwith.Wechoseto
forgothingslikeanofficeandsecretaryandbegandevelopingateamofpastorsevenwhenour
churchhadlessthanfiftypeopleinit.Itwasourgoalandprioritytotrainandreleasepeople
intoministry.EachtimeItookasabbatical,theteamsteppedup,Isteppedback,andwhenI
cameback,theykeptwhateverresponsibilitiesIhadgiventothem.Ithinkyouneedateamin
ordertotakeayear-longsabbatical.Perhapsachurchcouldendureapastorsteppingbackfor
threemonths,ifhewasbyhimself,buteventhatwouldbedifficult.
Q.Whataresomeofthethingsyoudidonyoursabbaticals?
A.Sometimes,Ijustattendchurchlikeanyoneelse.Imightteachalittle,butcutbackina
significantway.Imightattendsomeboardmeetings,butnotlikebefore.Ihaveoftengoneon
personalretreatsorattendedconferencesthatrefreshedme.Ihavevisitedotherchurchesthat
Iwantedtolearnfrom,gainingfreshvision.IhavetriedtogettoplaceswhereIcouldbe
prophesiedover.Ihavetakenoverseastrips,likethetimeIwasintentonfollowingthe
footstepsoftheapostlePaulinIsrael,Turkey,andRome.ThatwasarealgiftfromtheLord.I
havealsostudiedcertainsubjectsintently.Forexample,oneyearIstudiedthelifeandministry
ofCharlesFinneyandtherevivalshewaspartof.Thiswaslifetomeonsomanylevels.Iwould
gooutalmosteverydayandseewhatIcouldfindintheareawheretheserevivalstookplace.I
rarelyhavefeltsoledoftheLordateveryturn.Thatwasespeciallyinvigorating.Onmyfirst
sabbatical,Ihappenedupontheplacewheremybirthfamilycamefrom.Myfatherhaddied
whenIwasayear-oldandIneverhadanycontactwithhisfamily.AsIbecameacquaintedwith
themoverthenextfewdays,itbroughtaboutarestandwholenesswithinmethatIdidnot
knowIneeded.
Witheachsabbatical,IfeltliketheLordwasleadingmeandarrangingforspecialthingsfor
metoexperience,whichmadeitveryspecial.
WENEEDTOFINDRESTINGPLACES
Q.Howdoyoufindplacestocomeasideandrest?
A.BecauseIbelieveitisimportanttodothis,ItrustHimtoprovideplaces.Fromthefollowing
verses,IgetasensethatthisisimportanttotheLordaswell:
47
"Mypeoplewilldwellinapeacefulhabitation,insecuredwellings,andinquietresting
places…"(Isaiah32:18).
"Donotlieinwait,Owickedman,againstthedwellingoftherighteous;Donotplunderhis
restingplace…"(Proverbs24:15).
Iactuallycollectrestingplaces.Ihavecomeacrossplacestodothisrightinmybackyardand
allovertheworld.Oncepeopleknowyouarecommittedtothisdiscipline,theyoftenoffer
places.OncetheLordseesyouarecommittedtodoingthis,Hewillprovideplaces.Iusea
varietyofsettings,dependingupontheseason.
Inthespring,IhaveoftentakenmyvanandcampedoutataregionalMinisters’meeting.
Thisisimportantasitallowsmetogetpreachedtoandrespondtothealtarcalls.
IntheautumnIusuallyspendaweekcampingwithagroupofpastors.Wehavebeendoing
thisforyears.
InthewinterIusuallystarttheyearbyshuttingmyselfawayforaweekinacabin.Ihavealso
gonetoaBibleSchooljusttohavesometimetoshutdownandtakesomeclasses.
Inthesummer,Ifindplacestocamp.Sometimesitisjustforadayortwo,sometimesmore.
Iamsurprisedhowoftenplacesareofferedtometouse,includingfriend’shomes,cabins,
andcottages.Ihavepaidtouseretreatcenters.SometimesIhavebookedhotels,butthisismy
leastfavoritewaytodoit.Wherethereisawill,thereisaway.Committodoingitfirst,then
trusttheLordtoprovidetheplace.
Inorderforthisconcepttoremaincondemnation-free,wemustbegintoseeitasagiftfrom
GodandsomethingHedelightsin.
48
THEPARABLEOFCHERRYLANE
Alongtimeago,inaremotepartofthekingdom,livedayoungmannamedNigel.Hehadan
infectiousgrinandastreakofkindnessthatranalmostasdeepashisloveforGod.Itwas
obvioustoallwhomethimthatthefavoroftheLordrestedsquarelyuponhislife.Heworked
hardforthelocalblacksmith,butalwaysfoundtimetovisitaquietplace,wherehewouldgoto
seektheLord.Hecouldsingaloudwithoutanyfearofbeingoverheardbyanyoneotherthan
thedeerwhoventuredoutintothemeadows,cockingtheirearsandflaggingtheirtailsasthey
listenedtohimraisehisvoicealoudinworshiptotheLord.
Atfirstglance,itwouldnotbeconsideredabeautifulplace,butthetruebeautylayinits
simplicity,whichbecameapparentwhenyouspenttimethere.Itwasonlyagravellane,strewn
withstonesfleckedwithcolor,whichNigelwouldoftenpickuptoadmire.Thelanemeandered
throughseveralmeadows,borderedbyasweet-smellingforestanddividedbyaclearstream.
Hewouldoftensliphisfeetintoitscoolwaters.HenamedtheplaceCherryLane,becauseof
thelargeblackcherrytreesthatlacedtheirbranchestogether,creatingaperfectcanopyof
shadeallalongtheLane.
Someofhishappiestdayswerespentthere.Itwasaplacewherehecouldsorteverything
outbeforetheLord.OneprayerheoftenfoundhimselfbringingbeforetheLordwastheissue
49
ofwhathewasgoingtodowithhislife.Allheknewwasthathewantedtohelppeople,work
withhishands,andservetheking.Heoftenaskedforsomeonespecialthathecouldsharethis
specialplacewith.Helaidouthisheart’sdesirebeforetheLordand,afteralongwait,hewas
abletotakeabeautifulyounggalnamedNelltoseeCherryLane.Sheloveditimmediately.
Atthecloseoftheday,theystoppedatanoldwoodenhouse,whichsatattheentranceto
oneofthemeadows.Itwasasimpleoldplacethatturnedthecolorofamberasthesunbegan
tosetuponit.Duringoneoftheirvisitsintheoldhouse,NigeltoldNellthathehadalways
wantedtoliveonCherryLane.Heaskedherifshewouldjoinhiminturningthisoldhouseinto
ahome.
Fromtheirhappyweddingdayonward,theyspentmostmorningsandmanyevenings
strollingdownCherryLane,prayingandworshipping,bringingtheirplansbeforetheLordas
theywatchedthesunriseandsettogether.Itwasononeoftheseearlymorningwalksthat
NellnoticedNigelwasdeepinthought.Whensheaskedhimwhathewasthinkingabout,he
sighedandsaidthatwhilehelikedbeingtheapprenticetotheblacksmith,hehadalwayshoped
thatsomedayhewouldbeableworkforhimself.Heconfidedinherthatitwashisdreamto
ownworkshopsohecouldhelppeopleandperhapsevenservetheking.
PartwaydownCherryLanestoodanolddrive-shed,nestledbesidethecreek.Astheystood
infrontofittheytalked,half-jokinglyatfirst,abouthowthiswouldbetheperfectplaceto
openablacksmithshop.Soontheywereinsideplanningwheretohanghistoolsandwhere
theycouldsetthebellows.Afewdayslater,NellsurprisedNigelastheystrolledpasttheshed,
havinghungahand-paintedsignoverthedoor,whichsaid,“NigeltheSmith”.Atthatmoment,
theydedicatedtheirplanstotheLordinprayer,askingforHisblessings.Theyranexcitedly
downCherryLane,laughingattheboldfaiththatcausedthemtohangupasignthatnoone
elsecouldsee.
Onemorning,thedeercameoutoftheforesttoseewhatwasmakingthenewsoundon
CherryLane,asthesoundofahammerhittingsteelechoedacrossthemeadow.Littlebylittle
anddaybyday,thesoundwouldincreaseaswagonswerebroughttothelittleshoptobefixed
andhorseswereledtheretobeshod.Nigelwasacraftsmanwithintegrityandwordgot
around,“Ifyouwantsomethingfixedright,seeNigeltheSmith.”
TherewasalwaysenoughworktoprovideforNigelandNell’sgrowingfamilyandhealways
tookthetimetowalkthelittleonesdownCherryLane,wheretheirsquealsoflaughtercould
beheardacrossthemeadowsastheychasedfrogsandcaughtsalamanders.Theylovedto
discovernewflowersorpickthewildberriesthathidamongthegrass.Hehelpedthemclimb
thesametreesheoncesatintoreadfromtheOldBookanddelightedinseeingthemsplash
aroundinthesamecreekthathadrefreshedhisfeetsomanytimesbefore.Seeingtheir
wonderhelpedNigelrecapturewhathehadfirstfeltwhenhestartedcomingtoCherryLane.
Asthesunbegantoset,theywouldmaketheirwaybacktotheirsturdynewhouseattheedge
ofthemeadow.
50
THEKING’SSMITH
Oneday,abigblack,shinycarriagepulledupinfrontofthelittleblacksmithshed.Theking’s
coachmansteppeddownontothegravellane,squintingattheshed,missingallthebeauty
aroundit.Heopenedthedoorfortheking’smessenger,whoquicklysteppedoutand
approachedNigel,whohadbeensittingintheearlymorningsun,readingfromtheOldBook.
Heoftendidthisashewaitedforhishelperstobringyesterday’scoalsbacktolifeforanother
busyday.Themessengersaidthatwordhadreachedtheking’searsofNigel’sskillandintegrity
andheaskedifhewouldbewillingtobecometheking’ssmith.Amodestgrincreptslowly
acrossNigel’sface.Hequietlysaidthathewouldbehonoredtoservetheking.Thequick
rappingofahammerprovidedtheexclamationpointtoNigel’swordsasthecoachmanhung
theking’ssealofapprovalnexttoNell’soldsign.Thatevening,astheywalkedhand-in-hand
downCherryLanewithallthelittleonesrunningahead,NigelandNellsangasongofgratitude
totheLord.Foralongtimeafterwards,theywouldstandinamazementwhenevertheysawthe
shinyking’ssealhangingontheirlittleshopinthemiddleofnowhere.TheymarveledatGod’s
greatblessingupontheirlives.
Morebusinessbegantocometheirwayaswordspreadabouttheking’ssmith.Soonheneeded
tohiremorehelpandhebuiltamuchlargershopnexttotheoldshed,whichwasnowbarely
largeenoughtostorehiscoal.Fromthattimeforwardtheringingofthehammersdrownedout
thesubtlesoundoftheinsectsandthesweetsoundofthebirds.Allyoucouldhearwasthe
soundofhorsescomingandgoing,andthevillagepeoplehagglingintheLaneastheircarriages
linedthemeadows.EvenNigel’sowncarriagecouldbeseenhurryingdownCherryLane,his
wheelsspurningthefleckedstonesheoncepickeduptoadmire.
TOOBUSYTONOTICEANYMORE
Fromtimetotime,hewouldlookupfromtheanviltocatchaglimpseofNellwalkingwiththe
familydowntheLane,butevenshewasbecomingtoobusytodothisveryoften.Hecouldnot
rememberthelasttimehehadtimetowalkdownthelane,muchlesstheluxuryoflayingin
themeadoworrestinghisfeetinthecold,clearstream.Thechildrenwouldsometimescoax
himtowalkwiththem,butitwasobviousthathismindwassomewhereelse.Theywerestill
thrilledtofindanewfawngrazingwithitsmother,orcatchsightofatroutrestingagainstthe
currentinthestream,butNigeldidnotseemtonoticethesethingsanymore.
Thechildrenwouldoftenprayfortheirdadwhentheysawhimtrudginghiswaybetween
theirsturdylittlehouseandthebigshop,wherehewouldspendanothernighttryingtocatch
upontheday’swork.Healsohadtogetupveryearlyeachmorningtogetthingsreadyforthe
menwhowouldsoonarriveforwork.TheybroughttheirowntensionstoCherryLaneandtheir
workwasneverquiteuptohisstandards;buthewastoobusytodoitallhimself.
STARRY,STARRYNIGHT
51
Thenoneevening,ashewalkedtowardtheshop,Nigelheardthecallofawhippoorwill.
Hearingthebird’soldfamiliarsonginstantlytransportedhimbacktosimplertimes,whenhe
wouldoftensitinthecooloftheday,feelingsatisfiedwithhissimplelife.Itstirredhisheartlike
nothingelse,remindinghimofquietertimes.Hestoodinthesamespot,deepinthought,until
thestarscameout.ThefaintsmellofthesweetgrasshungheavilyintheLane,whichgaveit
thatdistinctsmellthatNigellovedsomuch.Ashestoodthere,hisheartbegantomeltbefore
theLordasheconsideredallthathehadandallthathehadlostingettingit.Hehadalwaysfelt
rich,butsomehowwasfeelingpoorerwitheachpassingseason.Hehadlostsomethingtruly
valuablealongthewayanddidnotknowhowtogetitback.Helongedforsimplicityand,then
andthere,decidedthatheneededtofindit,nomatterthecost.
INTOTHEFOG
NellfeltNigelleavethebedalittleearlierthanusualandratherthanheadingstraighttothe
shopasusual,shesawhissilhouetteslowlywalkingdownCherryLane.Sheprayedforhimas
heenteredthemeadow,steppingintoawispoffogthathadnotyetbeenburnedoffbythe
morningsunthatpeekedoverthecherrytrees.Thefoggymeadowmirroredtheconditionof
hisownsoulashebegantocallaloud,askingtheLordtohelphim.Itsoundedsostrangeto
hearhisownvoiceprayaloud,ashesaid,“OhGod!HowcouldYourblessingturnoutlikethis?
YouhavegivenmeeverythingIhaveeverwanted,butsurelyyoucouldnothaveintendedthis.
HelpmefindmywaybacktoYouandtosimplertimes.”
AsNigelweptfreely,thedeercameoutoftheforesttoinvestigatethestrangenewsound
thatwasechoingacrossthemeadow.
Morningbymorning,hebegantakingtimetobewiththeLord,knowingthatsomehowthiswas
theonlywaytobegintofindhiswaybacktotheLord,askingHimtochangewhathecouldnot
changehimself.ThemenbegantonoticehowNigel’smindwasnolongerasfocusedonthe
workandthathewouldsometimesslipawayduringabusydayjusttoprayforanhourorso.
Insteadofworkingintheshoplateatnight,hecouldbeseenstandingoutunderthestars,
learningtosingtoHisGodagain.
BACKTOTHEOLDBOOK
HestartedreadingtheOldBookagain.Eventhoughatfirsthedidnotfindwhathewaslooking
for,hestayedwithit.Intime,hebegantofeelitspeakingtohim.Hefoundtheperspectivehe
needed,especiallyfromthewordswrittenbyaricholdkingwho,eventhoughGodhadblessed
himineveryway,hadbecomeverypoor.ItwasasifthisoldkingwasaskingNigelthese
questions:
Whatdoyouhavetoshowforallyourworkunderthesun?
Whatgoodisallthisworktogetenoughfood,ifyouneverreallytasteit?
52
Whatmakesusworksohardthatwefailtoenjoythefruitofourlabor?
Istherenotmoretolifethanworkingallthetime?
Wouldasmallamountwithquietnessnotbebetterthanhavingbothhandsfull,withtravail
andvexationofspirit?
Doesn’tourdissatisfactiononlyleadtomorework?
Whatisthepointofbuildingahousethatisemptyoflife?
Whyhavechildrenthatyouneverhavetimetoenjoy?
Whatisthepointofworkinghardsowecanretireandstillneverfindrest?
Whyworkatsomethingwehatedoing,whenitisthegiftofGodtoenjoytheworkofour
hands?
Whytradewhatwealreadyhaveforthatwhichweneverreallywanted?
WouldbeingabletoenjoythisfruitnotbethebestproofofGod’sblessing?
Whatdoesitaccomplishtogofromlabortolabor,travailtotravail,andnotlivelongenoughto
enjoywhatyouworkedsohardfor?
Whyworkhardjusttolayupthingsforthosewhohavenotworkedforit?
BACKTOSIMPLICITY
Nigelbegantorealizethatweareonlyhereforashorttimeandbeforelongsomeoneelsewill
comebehindusandreapfromalltheworkwehavedone.Thishadhappenedtowhoeverbuilt
thefirstlittlehouseattheedgeofthemeadow,whohadsetthedrive-shedbesidethecreek,
clearedthemeadows,laidthegravelroad,andplantedtheshadetreesalongCherryLanethat
hehadcometoenjoy.
AllofthiscamedownheavilyonNigel’sheart,likeahammerhittingsteel,causinghimto
becomemoredeterminedtoworkharderatsimplifyinghislife.
NigelandNellcanstillbeseenwalkingslowlydownCherryLanewiththeirchildrenattheir
side.Theylistentothegrandchildrensquealingwithdelightwhentheyfindsomethingnew
alongCherryLane.Theysmiletoeachotherastheynoticehowthedeercomeoutoftheforest
toseewhosevoiceswerenowringingacrossthemeadows.
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THEBOTTOMLINE
TheBookofEcclesiastesisarealitycheck.Itissocontemporaryitcouldhavebeenwritten
today.Itisaboutamanwhohadeverything,butendedupwithnothing.Mywishforyou,and
formyself,isthatwemakeabreakfromallthatvexesoursoulssowecandiscoverthe
simplicityofourownCherryLane.Let’sbuildourlivesonthethingsthatsatisfyourhearts,
ratherthanthosethingsthatvexit.
AswereadEcclesiastes,itisasifKingSolomonisstandinginthemiddleoftheroad,waving
hisarms,warningusnottocomehisway,shouting,“Goback!Don’tfollowme!Ihavegonethe
wrongwayandneedtofindmywaybacktoGod!”
Butmanyofusdriverightonby,wavingathim,asweheadtoourowndestruction.
ThebottomlineoftheBookofEcclesiastesisthatlifeisshortandthegoalofman’s
existenceistofearGodandwalkwithHimallthedaysofthislife.Sooften,thisisthefirstthing
thatgetslostinthebusynessoflife,butitistheonethingweneedinordertoliveinsimplicity.
TheparableofCherryLanewaswrittenasareminderthatitisnotjustdoingbadthingsthat
canrobourlivesoflife,butoftenitisdoinggoodthingsinanimbalancedwaythatcanhurtus.
PeoplehaveburntoutonministryandotherGod-givenjobsbecausetheyfailedtoadjustthe
rhythmoftheirlivesbyrestingandtakingtimetocomeasideinordertogainfreshperspective
aboutthethingsthatmattermostinlife.
QUESTIONANDANSWERS
HOWTOBECOMEBALANCED
Q.Youbeganbytalkingaboutlivingabalancedlife.Howdowebegintodothis?
A.Everythingismovingin“fastforward”thesedays.Lifeisacceleratingandissofulland
complicatedthatitcanruinourspirituallives.Manyarerunningonempty,yetthebusiesttime
oftheharvestisnotevenhereyet.Whatarewegoingtodothen?AllIknowisthattheLord
hasshownmethatIneedtofindthebalancebetween“being”and“doing”;betweenmounting
uplikeaneagle,inmyowneffort,andthensoaringonHiscurrentofgrace.Hereareafew
suggestionsfordoingthisinapracticalway:
- WeneedtolearntodelightinGod’sSabbath.Itisoneoflife’srichrewards.
- Weneedtolearnhowtorestineachday,adayofresteachweek,andtorestin
significantwaysatdifferenttimesthroughouttheyear.
- Weneedtobegintoseehowrestingandretreatingarenotselfishthingstodo,butthe
surestwaytoservetheLord.
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- WeneedtobeconvincedthatwaitingupontheLord,listeningtoHim,spendingtimein
personalworship,readingthewordandprayingintonguesaresimplekeystolivinga
balanced,orderedlife.Thesearealsosomeofthemainkeystogainingspiritualpower
andauthorityfromtheLord.
- WeneedtimealonetoletHimpastorourhearts.WeneedtoletHimshowustheareas
thatneedattention.Itiswherefrustrationsareaddressedandforgivenessflushesour
heartsfromthosethingsthatseparateusfromHimandeachother.
- WeneedtobegintoseethatourworkinministryistobealonewithHim.OnlyHecan
showusourmotivationforworkingthewaywedo.
ISAACATEVENTIDE
Q.Becauseofmyworkschedule,Icannotseemtofindtimetocomeasideortakepersonal
retreats.WhatwouldyousuggestIdo?
A.Ifyouwaitforopportunitiestocomeasidetohappennaturally,theywillnot.Youhaveto
takethem.Infact,youwillhavetolabortoenterintorest.Youhavetofindtimeandplacesto
dothis.Sometimesithelpstogowithasmallgroupofotherpeoplewhohavethesamedesire
toseektheLord.
OneofmyfavoritepicturesintheBiblecomesfromasmalllinethatwecaneasilyreadover.
ThestoryisaboutthereturnofAbraham’sservantwhohadbeensentouttofindawifefor
Isaac.Astheircamelscrestthehill,thereisabriefdescriptionofthemomentRebeccafirstsees
herfuturehusband.Thescripturesays,
Isaacwasoutwalkinginthefieldateventide,meditatingontheLord(Genesis24:63).
Picturethis:Thenicestpartofanydayiseventide,whenagoldenslumbersettlesoverthe
landscape.TherearesilhouettesofbirdsflutteringoverheadasIsaacwalksthigh-deepthrough
hisgrainfields.Canyoualmostsmellit?Thereisnoelseonearoundandnoothernoise,except
forthevoiceofthisyoungmantalkingaloudtotheLordashewalksslowlythroughthefield.
WhenwasthelasttimeyouwalkedthroughameadowwithyourGod?
Yousayyoudon’thavetime.Toomuchwork?ForIsaac,thisfieldofwheatwashiswork,but
hefoundtimetobewiththeLord.Isuspecttherearemomentslikethisinsomepartofyour
workday.Hereareacoupleofversesthatdescribethiskindofthing:
“Thoselonghoursofleisureaswewalkedarminarm,Godathirdpartytoourconversation…”
(Psalm55:14MSG).
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“NowIstrollatleisurewithGodinthesunlitfieldoflife”(Psalm56:13).
Q.Don’tyouthinkitispossibleto“burn-out”doingtheLord’swork?
A.IseeJesusasamastercarpenter,IdoubtthatHemis-usedHistools.Inthesameway,I
cannotimagineHimeverburningusoutthroughover-use.WearetoovaluabletoHim.WhenI
seepeopleburnedoutandineffective,IcanonlyconcludethatJesusisnotreallyLordatthat
timeintheirlives.Somethingelseisdrivingthem.Jesuswouldnotleadthemintothis
condition,norwouldHeworkthemuntiltheycrashandburn.Thisdoesnotmeanweneverget
tired.EvenJesusgottired,butHerestedsoHecouldkeepHispriorities.(John4:6)Ihave
learnedthatyoucannotbeexhaustedandspiritualatthesametime.Iseemanyburnedout
Christianswhocontinueonthetreadmill,thinkingtheycannotaffordtogetoff.Thefactiswe
cannotaffordtokeepgoinglikethis.Ithurtsourhealth,putsaheavystrainonourfamilies,and
causesustoregressspiritually.Finally,weareforcedoff.
BECOMINGCONVINCED
Q.Whydoyouthinkmostpeopleinministrydonottaketimetocomeaside?
A.Ibelievethatoneofthereasonswedon’tcomeasideisthatwearenotconvinced:
• WeneedtobecomeconvincedthatwaitingupontheLordisthekeytohavingabalanced,
orderedlife.ItisthemainkeytogainingpowerandauthorityfromtheLord.
• Weneedtobecomeconvincedthathavingfruitfullivesandministriesisnotonly
obtainable,butisexpectedofus.
• Weneedtobecomeconvincedthathavingfruitisonething,buthavingfruitthatremains
isthehighergoal.Weshouldallbelookingforwaystoachievelongevityinour
marriagesandministries.
• WeneedtobecomeconvincedthatdelightinginGod’sSabbathisoneoflife’srich
rewardsthissideofheaven.
• WeneedtobecomeconvincedthatwecanhearfromGodandthatHewillanswereach
ofourquestionseverytime.
• Aspastors,weneedtobecomeconvincedthatthereismoretoourlivesthanministry
andthatrestingandretreatingisnotselfish,butasurewaytoserveourflocks.
• Weneedtobecomeconvincedthatonegoodwaytogainorder,balance,and
productivity,istocomeasideandhearfromGod.
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Q.Itriedtotaketimeasideonaretreatonce,butgotnothingoutofit.
A.Ifyoudon’ttakeregulartimesasidetorestandpray,whenyoufinallydo,youwillnotget
muchoutofit.Thisisastartlingdilemmatofindyourselfin.Aftertakingtimeandstayingwith
itconsistently,willbegintoflow.Jesussaid,“Seekandyouwillfind”(Matthew7:7).Itjusttakes
time.
Q.Comingasideisnotalwayseasy.
A.No,it’sadiscipline.Wouldn’titbegreatifwehadabuilt-in“cruisecontrol”sothatoncewe
foundtherightspeedanddirectionforourlives,wecouldpushabuttonandlockitintoplace.
Ofcourse,lifedoesnotworkthatwayandthingsdonotstayorderlyforlong,soweneedto
finddisciplineforourlives;notoncethenlockitin,butagainandagain.Thisbecomesour
work.TheonlywayIknowtodothisistocomeasideoften.Ihavecometoseehowthisisnot
onlyoneofthebestwaysofrejuvenatingmyspirituallife,buthasalsohelpedmefindorder,
balance,andperspective.
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ADDENDUMONE:
MYSPIRITUALCHECK-UPLIST
HereisalistofthingsthatIuseonretreatsinordertoevaluatehowwellIamdoing.Theseare
notinorderofimportance,butfocusonarangeofareaswhereIneedtobegrowinginmylife
andministry.
1.Doyouhaveaconfirmedlong-termvision?(ThisissomethingJesushasshownyoutodoand
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hasconfirmed,notjustsomethingyouhavedecidedtodoonyourownhopingHeblessesit.)
2.Doyouknowwhatshort-termstepsareneededtofulfillyourlong-termvision?
3.Doesyourvisionincludewhatyouwillbecome,aswellaswhatyouwilldo?
4.DoyoureadtheBibleandmeditateonitinadisciplinedwaythatspeakstoyouasaperson,
notjustforwhatyouneedforthepulpit?
5.DoyousensethepresenceoftheLordinprayer?
6.WhenwasthelasttimeyouheardHisvoicejustforyourownspirituallife?
7.DoyousensethepleasureorfavoroftheLordinyourlife?
8.Doyouhaveextendedtimesofpersonalpraiseandworship?
9.Doyouhave“hammock”time?(Thisisguilt-freetimejusttorelaxorreadabook)
10.Areyoureadingbooksforyourownpersonalgrowth?
11.Doyoufindyourselfavoidingpeopleasmuchasyoucan?
12.Howdeepdoesyourforgivenessgo?Areyoufreefrompasthurts?
13.Doyoufindyourselfwishingyourlifewerecompletelydifferentfromthewayitisright
now?
14.Doyoufastonaweeklybasis?
15.DoyoutrulyobserveaweeklySabbath?
16.Doyoutakepersonalretreats?(Otherthanvacation)
17.Doyouputyourselfinplaceswhereyoucangetpreachedtoandrespondtoanaltarcall?
18.Howfreeareyoutolaughandsing?
19.Areyouawareofunresolvedconflictswithanyone?
20.Doyouactuallylookforwardtogoingtochurch?
21.Doyouhavefriendsoutsidethechurchorministry?
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22.Doyouhaveahobbyorgrowinginterestoutsideofthechurchorministry?
23.Doyoutaketimetounplug?(Takingtimeawayfromthecomputerandcellphone)
24.Doyouhaveapastor/overseerorpersonalmentorwithwhomyoucantalkopenlyand
honestlyaboutwhatisgoingoninyourlife?(Someonewhowillaskyouthehardquestions)
25.Doyoulookforopportunitiestoshareyourfaithwithothers?
26.Doyoulookforwaystogivejustforthejoyofgiving?
27.Howwelldoyoupastoryourownchildren?
28.Doyoustilldateyourspouseandtaketimetotalkandlistentoeachother?
29.DoyouliveintheconfidenceandfreedomthatbeingrightwithGodbrings?
30.Areyoutryingnewthingsandexploringnewdepths,inordertokeepgrowingspiritually?
OTHERINDICATORS
1.Howisyourback?
2.Areyoutakingmedsforthingsthatcouldbesolvedspiritually?
3.Doyougoforwalksorfindotherwaystogetinsomeregularexercise?
4.Howareyournumbers?(Suchasyourweight,bloodpressure,andcholesterol?)
5.Isyoursleepinterruptedbythecaresandstressesoflife?
6.Anyongoingworries,anxieties,orfears?
7.Howareyourjointsormuscles?
ADDENDUMTWO:
BUDGETINGYOURTIME
Youmayagreewithmethatweallneedtobuildmoredisciplinesintoourlives,suchas,resting,
fasting,prayer,andstudy,buthowdowedothiswhenourplatesarealreadysofull?Let’snot
thinkofitasaddingmoretoourbusylives,butjustlet’susethesameamountoftimewe
alreadyhavealittledifferently.Foryourownassessment,youcanchangethethingstodothat
Isuggesthere,bywritingsomethingelseinitsplaceontherightside.Youcanalsoassesswhat
yourlifeislikeinrealitybywritinginwherethingsarenowontheleft.
I’mnotsurewhereIfirstsawthisidea,perhapsitwasataBillGothardseminarmanyyears
ago,butIheardtheideaaboutbudgetingourtimethesamewaywebudgetourfinances.I
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havetriedtodothisthroughtheyears,withmixedresults.WhileIrealizelifedoesn’tpresent
itselfinsuchtimelyorderaslistedhere,thisideadoesshowtherecanbetimeeachweekfor
resting,ifwehavethedesiretobuildaroundthesepriorities.Thinkofitthesamewayasyou
wouldafinancialbudget;youmaynotalwaysadheretoit,butatleastyouhavesomethingin
placetocompareyourspendingwithandyoualwayshaveasetgoaltocomebackto.Hereis
howthislooks,intheory,anyway:
§
Thereare7daysaweek,24hoursineachday,whichequals168hoursaweek.
§
Ifwesleptafull8hoursanight,wewouldneedtosubtract56hoursfromthe168we
startedwith.Thiswouldleave112hoursforotheressentials.
§
Let’sbudget45hoursaweekforwork,allowingtimefortravel.
§
Let’s give ourselves 2 hours a day for eating. This should be enjoyed and done at a
slower pace. If we fast one day a week, we can move these 2 hours into another
category.
§
We need at least 4 hours a week for personal things such as taking a shower and
gettingdressedeachday.
§
This leaves a total of 63 hours. Subtract this from the 112 hours for essentials. This
wouldstillleaveus49hoursaweektodosomethingelsewith.
§
Let’s subtract 12 hours a week right off the top to reserve as a Sabbath day. This
would involve going to church, but it also includes giving ourselves over to deeper
spiritualexercises.Itmayalsoincludeagoodnap.(49-12=37)
§
Let’sgiveourselvesafullhouradayeachworkdayfordevotions.(Wehavealready
includedtimeforthisinourSabbathday.)Thiswouldstillleave31hourstousefor
otherthings.(37-6=31)
§
So let’s give ourselves an hour a day for reading a magazine or watching the news.
YoucanevenwatchagooddocumentaryonTV,using6hoursinaweek.(31-6=25)
§
Weshouldallgotooursmallgroupmeeting,whichlastsabout2hourseachweek.
(25-2=23)
§
Let’sallgiveourspouse30minutesadaytotalktoeachother.(Thisisoverandabove
mealtimes.)Wecouldsitontheporchorgoforawalk.Thiswouldtotal3.5hoursa
week.(23-3.5=19.5)
§
Thiswouldstillleaveyouover19hoursaweektofindsomethingelsetodo.
§
Let’smakeitapointtohavesomeoneoveratleastonceaweek.Let’ssaywebeginat
7:00p.m.andgoto10:00p.m.Ifwehadthemoverfordinner,itcouldcomeoutof
oureatingtimethatwescheduled.(19.5-3=16.5)
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§
Let’s get down and play with the kids or help them do homework for 2 hours after
supper.Thiswouldonlytake12hoursaweek.Notbadwhenweconsidertheaverage
dadspendsabout12minutesaweekwiththeirkids.(Thisisoverandabovethetime
spentwiththematmeals,andanythingweincludetheminthathasbeenmentioned
above.)Ifwedon’thavekidsathomerightnow,usethe12hoursaweektoservethe
Lordinsomeotherway.(16.5-12=4.5)
§
Subtract 12 hours from the 16, and that would leave you with over 4 hours to do
somethingwith.
§
Whatarewegoingtodowiththese4hoursaweek?Mowgrass,shovelsnow,wash
thecar?Youcangoforahikeduringtheweek.Youcouldjoinagymorplayasport.
Youcanspenditatthelibraryeasilyenough.Infact,youcansquanderitanywayyou
like!
TOTAL.Let’sreviewhowwespentourweek:
§
Wesleptagood8hoursanight,
§
Weworkedafull45hoursaweek,
§
Wetooktimeeachdaytoeatslowly,
§
Wehadaniceshowereachdayandtookourtimetodress,
§
WeeachhadafullrestfulSabbathday,
§
Weallhadafullhoureachdayfordevotions,
§
WereadorwatchedabitofnewsonTV,
§
Wewenttooursmallgroup,
§
Wegaveourspouse30minutesadayjusttotalk,
§
Weeachhadsomeoneoveratleastonceaweek,
§
Wegotdowntoplaywiththekidsacouplehourseachnight,
§
Andwestillhadabitoftimetosquanderintheend!
ASSESSMENT
ThemostcommonblocksorobjectionsIhaveheardabouttakingaSabbath:
"Howwillthingsrunwithoutme?"–TakingaSabbaticalallowsustotrustGodtogetthings
done.HeoftenmultiplieswhatwedonaturallycandowhenwesubmittoHimandhonorHis
ways.
"Ifeelitisselfishtobedoingnothingwhenthereissomuchtobedone."–Restingfortheright
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reasonsisoneofthemostconsideratethingsyoucando.
"Iamnotover-workedrightnow."–Itiswisetorestupforwhateverliesahead.
"Iamyoung.Idon'tfeelthestrainyet."–Itisadisciplineyoucultivatebecauseyouarea
disciple,notbecauseofyourage.
"Icannotaffordthetimeoff."-Ifyoudon’ttakeyourrest,itwilltakeyou:eitherthrough
illness,fatigue,butyouwilleventuallybeside-lined.
WriteoutyourownblocksandargumentsfornottakingaSabbath:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
ADDENDUMTHREE:
LINKSTOOTHERBOOKS
FormoreinformationaboutotherbooksbyPennClark,goto
www.penn-clark.com
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UNFORCEDRHYTHMSOFGRACE
Hereisakeyversetomeditateupon,whichcontainsthedoubleincentiveofbothaninvitation
andapromise:
Comeuntome,allyethatlabourandareheavyladen,andIwillgiveyourest.Takemyyoke
uponyou,andlearnofme;forIammeekandlowlyinheart:andyeshallfindrestuntoyour
souls.Formyyokeiseasy,andmyburdenislight(KingJamesVersion).
HereisthesameversetakenfromTheMessage,byEugenePeterson:
CometoMe,allyouwholaborandareheavyladen,andIwillgiveyourest.TakeMyyokeupon
youandlearnfromMe,forIamgentleandlowlyinheart,andyouwillfindrestforyoursouls.
ForMyyokeiseasyandMyburdenislight
Areyoutired?Wornout?Burnedoutonreligion?Cometome.Getawaywithmeandyou'll
recoveryourlife.I'llshowyouhowtotakearealrest.Walkwithmeandworkwithme-watch
howIdoit.Learntheunforcedrhythmsofgrace.Iwon'tlayanythingheavyorill-fittingonyou.
Keepcompanywithmeandyou'lllearntolivefreelyandlightly(Matthew11:28-30MESG)
CREDITS
1.DavidCampbell,thefounderofSaksFifthAvenue,iscreditedwithsayingthisat
http://productiveday.com/discipline-is-remembering-what-you-want/.
2.Citation:TildenEdwards,SabbathTime:UnderstandingandPracticeforContemporary
Christians(UpperRoomBooks,1992)
3.Citation:GaryYates,Roanoke,Virginia;referencesMartinMoore-Ede,TheTwentyFourHour
Society(CircadianInformation,1993)
4.KennethHagin,UnderstandingtheAnointing(RHEMABibleChurch,AKAKennethHagin
Ministries,Inc.,1983).
5.Citation:StandFirm(June2000)
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