Thanks, Adam. Rest has always been a challenge for me in ministry. I (mostly) love the work. I still probably have some artifacts of works-righteousness lingering in my soul. And I've never been one for hobbies. But the Lord has been gracious and patient with me, giving me rest when I needed it (whether I wanted it or not). Thanks for reminding us that rest is a good, healthy, even spiritual act.
Your account of feeling completely drained after a day of excessive peopling definitely rings true.
It may be an over generalization, but I’ve heard it said that one big difference between extroverts and introverts is that an extrovert actually *gains* energy from being around people.
Introverts can do it, but it’s exhausting. If we don’t take time to recharge, we’ll fall flat.
(Maybe Jesus was an introvert?)
It also seems to me that the Christian preoccupation with busyness reflects a hole in our theology.
This was a topic of conversation on “The Holy Post” podcast recently. Phil Vischer talked about how his tradition put *so much* emphasis on missions that the lesson he took away was that his relaxation might cost someone their soul.
Of course the problem with that is that it puts way too much emphasis on *me*, like God just couldn’t get along without me.
We certainly have responsibilities, but God doesn’t call us to work ourselves to death.
Thanks for sharing your story and perspective. I had to learn these lessons the hard way, and my leadership, ministry, and family experienced the fallout - not because of moral failing, but because my body finally "broke." Here's the story in summary - https://stanleyjward.substack.com/p/trying-to-control-everything-is-exhausting?r=pz298
Thanks for your contribution and your story, Stan. God bless!
Thanks, Adam. Rest has always been a challenge for me in ministry. I (mostly) love the work. I still probably have some artifacts of works-righteousness lingering in my soul. And I've never been one for hobbies. But the Lord has been gracious and patient with me, giving me rest when I needed it (whether I wanted it or not). Thanks for reminding us that rest is a good, healthy, even spiritual act.
Thank you for sharing this. I'm grateful for your openness. Glad to have you on the Porch!
Thoughtful and well-written, Adam.
It triggers a couple of thoughts…
Your account of feeling completely drained after a day of excessive peopling definitely rings true.
It may be an over generalization, but I’ve heard it said that one big difference between extroverts and introverts is that an extrovert actually *gains* energy from being around people.
Introverts can do it, but it’s exhausting. If we don’t take time to recharge, we’ll fall flat.
(Maybe Jesus was an introvert?)
It also seems to me that the Christian preoccupation with busyness reflects a hole in our theology.
This was a topic of conversation on “The Holy Post” podcast recently. Phil Vischer talked about how his tradition put *so much* emphasis on missions that the lesson he took away was that his relaxation might cost someone their soul.
Of course the problem with that is that it puts way too much emphasis on *me*, like God just couldn’t get along without me.
We certainly have responsibilities, but God doesn’t call us to work ourselves to death.
Thanks for the feedback, Mark! Well put. Glad to have you on the Porch!