Dec 12 2009
Down Time
It is said that it will happen to everyone eventually and it recently happened to me. I got the flu. The flu shut me down and forced me to stay home, take it easy and drink plenty of fluids. Since my eyes were too fuzzy to read, I also spent a lot of time in prayer.
Wrapped up under a bunch of blankets with a cool rag on my head I spent time reflecting upon my life and praying for everyone I know. When you’re sick you don’t usually feel like doing much of anything but resting. Even in the resting you can utilize the time God has given you to do something constructive like praying and making some decisions about your life.
Our resistance to a cold or the flu can be diminished when we are so busy working or ministering to others because the lack of down time takes a toll upon our bodies. For some of us, the only way we will take a break and rest is when we are sick! Take some time today to examine your schedule to see if each day is crammed full of activities and work. Even if we are working for the Lord we can become worn down if we don’t schedule time for rest and relaxation.
Don’t wait until you are sick to rest. Heed the advice that Jesus gave to His disciples in Mark 6:31:
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’”
There are days that we skip meals, skimp on sleep and log extra hours at work. Don’t make this a habit for any length of time or you too may end up catching the flu! If we are always busy and never resting then how can we hear God’s voice and be refreshed by His presence? Schedule some down time today and allow the Lord to fill you anew.