In the General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh Day) USA and Canada, a Spirit-formed, Christ-centered, Grace-oriented, Sabbath-celebrating, Bible-based group of believers, is there anyone who does not understand the value of rest? Perhaps a better question for us would be, does anyone understand the priority of rest?
Of course, we understand the relevance of the weekly Sabbath and its symbolic representation of our eternal rest in Jesus Christ, our true Sabbath. We understand many of the wonderful things about Sabbath and teach others the same. Yet, we as leaders often use the Sabbath in glorifying God, Jesus the Lord of the Sabbath, and edifying the body of Christ and fail to understand that work does not provide the rest for us our creator intended for us to have. Some of us even feel guilty when we take time to rest at any time other than Sabbath, and not being able to rest on the day of rest simply forego the rest and resume the work.
As leaders, what kind of message are we communicating to those we are leading? Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am resting this Sabbath. I was to do a baptism, but because of social distancing recommendations for the health of others, it is being rescheduled. This article was written earlier in the week during some time I had scheduled on my calendar as unscheduled time. Incidentally, some of you already know this, but if not, be sure to have a full calendar always. AND, be sure that a goodly amount of time is scheduled as unscheduled. I use 20%, the equivalent of one workday a week, as unscheduled time. It allows me to have time for things that would otherwise not be considered for lack of time. So, today I am resting to make up for the use of my unscheduled time that could have been used for rest.
In researching ideas for this Sabbath blog, John Maxwell’s article dated September 3, 2019 provided an insight suitable for this purpose.
He shared a true story of his team and offered the conclusion that rest was investing time to become a better leader. He further illustrated rest provided opportunity for recovery, reflecting, and rekindling. I encourage you to read his article and go rest.
A leader without rest is a leader standing unnecessarily in harms way. What foolishness, and that of a leader. What was that leader thinking?
The Lord of the Sabbath said a few things about this topic both eternally and in the moment.
Matthew 11:28, NIV
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:29, NIV
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.
Mark 6:31, Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
I have no further counsel for us as leaders today. Be with Jesus in “a quiet place and get some rest.”
