February 2004 Devotional

Dear Women of Hope,

I hope you had an outstanding Christmas holiday.  It’s always hard to get back in the swing of things, but then sometimes life starts moving quickly too fast.  That’s where I’ve been at lately, getting caught up in the hectic rhythm of life, so I thought we could both use a respite – a reflection on rest.  Versus trying to cram one more thing in my day by writing a devotional, I’m going to instead share this excellent one with you by T.D. Jakes.  I hope you enjoy it…and that you find some encouragement in it to rest!

Blessings,

Lisa Kinakin

  The Rewards of Rest 

By the seventh day God had finished the workHe had been doing; so on the seventh dayHe rested from all His work.

Genesis 2:2

Minimizing means taking time out when you need it.  Resting isn’t about avoiding work.  It’s about the opposite – helping you recharge your batteries so you can stay alert and focused and work more productively.  You wouldn’t want an exhausted surgeon to perform an operation on you.  You want the pilot who flies you on a business trip to be rested because you know that rest is essential for effective performance.  Many of us have a hard time giving ourselves permission to rest.  Our lives are so filled with obligations and demand that we forget how important rest is.  We can’t thrive, or even survive, without it.

Setting goals is an important part of achieving success in life, but before you do that, you need to set limits.  Too many people make the mistake of trying to do too much.  They quickly become overloaded with obligations and expectations, to the point where they fail at everything they undertake.

Every day, you’re faced with demands.  Situations arise constantly – which you could take on, but by taking them all on, you risk burnout and stress.  Don’t spread yourself too thin by agreeing to do everything.  Choose carefully so that you can concentrate your limited time and energy on the things that count. 

When you feel overwhelmed (on the job, with your family, or any time) take a mini time-out and ask yourself these questions:

ü      What is the most important task or priority in this moment? (name only one)

ü      What can wait? (for an hour, until tomorrow, until next week)

ü      What can you cross off your list altogether?

ü      What can someone else help with?

The woman in this example took a positive step and gave herself permission to relax and enjoy her kids and her friend.  By prioritizing at work, she not only found extra time each day, she also freed herself to use her talents more productively.  Setting limits helps you stay focused on your priorities, without letting smaller concerns drain your energy.  With a humble, determined approach, you can use limits to reach unlimited heights in your life. 

You buy a brand-new house in tiptop shape – great plumbing, beautiful wood floors, the latest heating and cooling systems.  The way to keep the house in great condition is through regular maintenance and wise use of the systems.  You wouldn’t think of putting coffee grinds down the drain or running the furnace at full blast all day.  You’d make sure the gutters didn’t get too full and that the air conditioner filter was cleaned.  No system, no matter how powerful, can perform at top capacity if too much is required of it.

We deserve the same type of care and maintenance.  Unfortunately many of us deceive ourselves, not admitting when we need a break.  Knowing yourself well enough to know when to say “when” can literally save your life.  The journey ahead will be easier and more productive with rest.