Finding Rest in a Busy Work Life
We live in an increasingly busy world. Fast food, next-day delivery, technological advancement, automation in the workplace etc. It should help us work less. But, as certain aspects of our lives become quicker and easier, we seem to be busier than ever.
Recent statistics show us that over 90% of people in a survey said that being busy affected their ability to think clearly at work, their ability to prioritise, the quality of their work and also how innovative or creative they are.
Most Churches will have connect groups, worship practices, mums and kids groups, and youth groups taking place during the week during the day or in the evening. We can become so busy with our jobs as well as Church.
Busy schedules coupled with global pandemics, cost of living crisis and various other issues, we can become so overwhelmed that we self-implode. It is important to find rest and peace in this kind of environment.
Spiritual Rest
Mental health is on the rise, we are seeing a record number of people being overworked to the point that they are experiencing mental health issues. 1 in 6 people report experiencing mental health because of their workplace. The demands can be overwhelming but cast your burdens on the Lord and you will find rest and refreshment.
Jesus says in the book of Matthew “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”.
Jesus makes it very clear that we can come to him when we are weary and burdened and he will give us rest. This is not a gimmick or some kind of self-help manifestation technique. There is something supernatural that happens when we come and cast our burdens on Jesus, He actually trades our burdens for his rest.
The busyness of life can often lead us away from Jesus. Busyness overtakes our lives so much that we are so occupied doing stuff that we neglect our relationship with the Lord. But here He promises you to rest but that rest comes from a relationship, it comes from a posture of openness to throw away your pride and give your burdens and worries to Him.
There is no one like Jesus. Who else would take our burdens and trade them for rest? It seems like a terrible business deal. But I have found this to be vital for me as I juggle an increasingly busy schedule; turning off Netflix or choosing not to watch the best football team on the planet (Manchester United) in order to get in my room to spend time with Him never fails to give me rest. You are not the source of rest, Jesus is!
Physical Rest
Busyness can lead to various physical problems. New studies have shown that excessive busyness can cause Insomnia, headaches, fatigue, muscular pain and cardiovascular complications. Busyness can cause various physical issues.
God is all-powerful but yet he rested! He created the world in 6 days but on the 7th day, He rested. It is important to note that God wasn't tired or weary from creation but yet he rested. For us human beings rest is essential. If we keep working and working we will break and drop dead. God rests so that we might understand the principle of rest in our own lives. It becomes something he prescribes in the law to help recharge and recentre ourselves (See Exodus 20:8-11)
A great example of rest can be found in 1 Kings:19. Elijah was being chased by people who want to kill him, under tremendous pressure he asks God to take his life. He slept under a tree and an angel came and woke him up, fed him and he slept again. He was woken up for a second time and he was told to eat and drink, after eating he went on his journey as the Bible says “he went in the strength of that food for forty days and forty nights”. It is an encouraging story of how God can use rest to restore strength to your body. We all need this from time to time, it is important in a busy work life to take time away from everything.
A good friend of mine always tells me to look after my heart, It has become a bit of a joke which we say all the time but It is a really important reminder to be conscious and intentional in looking after ourselves so take a day off, take your emails off your phone, leave your work at the door and spend time resting and recharging.
Conclusion
A record number of people are experiencing mental health issues. Though the workplace won't be the root cause for all of these issues, a large number of people report their work being a source or contributor to their mental health. As Christians, we can often sweep these problems under the carpet but It is important to speak up and do something about it before it breaks us.
Take a day off doing something you enjoy, It’s a great way to rest and recharge but most importantly take your burdens to Jesus. Go to Him and let Jesus grant you rest and strength.