Daily Devotional for Sunday September 5, 1999

A Time to Refresh

(Mark 6:31)

We have become so busy every day and our lives so tightly scheduled, that we never seem to have an opportunity to just relax and allow our minds and bodies to refresh. When was the last time you took a few hours and did nothing but just relax? If Jesus had to get away from time to time to rest, how much more do we need to? In this fast-paced society where we push ourselves to the limit constantly, it is no wonder why so many turn to alcohol, drugs, and illicit sex. It is no wonder why so many end up in the hospital. We end up burning out our minds and bodies and try to find the temporary relief to just get through one more day.

God never intended for his creation to live this way. Productivity is fine but to never stop and relax or allow ourselves the time to recharge is destructive. Our original purpose was to serve and glorify our Creator. How can we do this when we are so focused on all of the things of this world that occupy our time. In our busy day, the first thing we neglect is our time alone with God and our time of fellowship with Him in prayer and the Word. How can we truly have a personal relationship with someone who we never take the time to be with?

Let me encourage you today. Slow down. Make time each day to fellowship with God. You can do more in His strength than you could ever do in your own. Why try to do it all with the little bit you have, when He can do it all with the might and limitless power of the Creator of the universe! Today, the Lord is saying to you, ?Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.? Stop, relax, refresh. Take the refreshing that can only come from God. My friend, you will be able to do more, accomplish more, feel better, and enjoy life, when you are living each day in His unlimited strength and not your own.