Working in God's Kingdom sure is fulfilling, but this doesn't mean everyone who wants to serve the Lord will just keep working and working and working - they also need to rest. That said, one thing that will really help is something that many result-oriented, goal-driven ministers usually don't take: a break.
Take a Break, Bro
When I say "take a break," I mean really take a break. For a time, fully let go of responsibilities and worries, entrusting these to people who are trustworthy. I know that's going to be difficult for many, but it's really important.
Ministers, and even volunteers, who spend a lot of time in ministry and no time to rest will really benefit from letting go of the work for a while. To encourage us to take periodic breaks, here are a few good things taking a break from church ministry does to us.
Good things taking a break does
1) It allows us to evaluate and realign ourselves with God
Oftentimes, those who are swamped with ministry work do not notice that they are already falling out of line with what God wanted them to do.
Some faithful ministers and volunteers, zealous for ministry and driven by deadlines and results, neglect their own spiritual health and many other things that matter, including physical health, family, and finances. They fail to notice that they have already left the path God marked for them and have turned to the left or to the right.
When we really take a break, we get the opportunity to evaluate ourselves and see where we are in light of God's will for us, and choose to go right back in.
2) It allows us to see from a wider, different perspective
Do you ever wonder why it's so difficult to get fresh ideas and an open mind that allows for creativity at times, like you've run out of ideas? Or, have you ever experienced a time where it seems like things are not making sense? Taking a break will help.
Taking a serious break from ministry helps us to get out of the mold we are in. We break free from what we are currently immersed in, and allow ourselves the freedom to receive new ideas, receive a fresh perspective, and be recharged. We also get to see what we don't see when we're right smack on the job.
3) It allows us to get well-needed rest
Lastly, taking a break really does allow us to rest. Imagine that, for a time, we're able to let go of all the worries and stress related to ministry. Doesn't that sound so good?
Taking a break allows us to sleep. It allows us to live through the day without rushing. It allows us to relax and have lighthearted fun, by ourselves or with the people that matter to us like our spouses and family. It also allows us the opportunity to just pray and read the Bible without thinking of what to preach in church or share in discipleship group.
Healthy, well-balanced ministers take a break. Even the Lord Jesus took some breaks by Himself to pray. Although He doesn't get tired, God Himself rested on the seventh day after working for six days in creation, just to establish His rest, the same rest we enter in through Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 4).
Return well and ready
Friends, when we take a break we allow ourselves to be recharged and well-rested enough so that when we return to serve, it's never going to be the same old, same old again.
