rest well

1 Corinthians 10:31 says "whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 
 
I always took this to mean that no matter what it was I was doing, I should give it my best...because it was really for God.  My schoolwork wasn't just for me, it was to glorify God who gave me a brain to learn with.  My chores weren't just to earn an allowance, but to glorify God who gave me hands to work with.  Even my recreation time, like sports, weren't just for fun, but a chance to witness to my teammates and set a positive example for them of faith, hard work and dedication. 

But, taken too far, this mentality can lead us to a point where we work and work and work and work...never taking time to rest.  But rest is commanded in the Bible.  Remember that God made Sabbath (a whole day of rest) one of the 10 commandments and that God himself rested on the 7th day of creation.  Jesus also modeled resting by making time for solitude, prayer and spending time over meals with his friends.  

And, to paraphrase 1 Cor. 10:31...if we are gonna rest, we should do it well...because it too is for the glory of God. 

Rest is good.  God knows we need rest.  He knows that without it we will grow bitter, far from him and from others and eventually burnout.  Our bodies need rest and so too do our souls.  

So I encourage you to rest well.  Take time away from work, from chores, from stress.  Take a vacation.  Take a walk.  Take a break.  Listen to music.  Sit down and relax.  Watch a movie or read a book.  Spend time with a friend or spend time with God.  Make time for yourself.  Rest well.  It's good for you.  It was God's idea after all. 

In Christ, 
Pastor Scott