Freely Speaking with Shayla

Do you ever feel like you are on the hamster wheel of life? Busy with task after task. Is your life consumed, but you are having trouble seeing any accomplishments or progress? Perhaps we are too busy being busy, and we’ve neglected the necessity of rest. Maybe like me, you need to halt from busyness.

Who can we look to for the blueprint on rest, thereby resisting the urge to occupy our lives with task after task? None other than Jesus! During Jesus’ earthly ministry, to say he was in great demand is indeed an understatement. There were miracles to be performed, crowds to teach, children to embrace, sins to forgive, feet to wash, disciples to train, critics to confute, and most importantly, a Father to please! And if his ultimate purpose was to please the Father, he couldn’t get bogged down with busyness. So, what did he do?

Luke 5:15-16 (NIV) states, “Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Jesus did not wait until the opportune time to rest, be alone, and spend time with the Father. He made it a priority. Even as his fame spread and the demand for him increased, he withdrew. Even if the demand for you grows, it does not negate your need for rest. If Jesus could take necessary pauses, then we should too. May we follow Jesus’ example!

We pray that you resist the urge to continuously fill your life with busyness. We pray that, just like our Savior, you prioritize the gift of rest. What steps can you take to ensure you follow Jesus’ example to withdraw from the demands of your life? If you have learned strategies to incorporate rest in your life and to reduce busyness, please share!