Title: The importance of rest
The two woodcutter went to the mountain to get firewood together. Both woodcutter worked diligently. The first woodcutter did not even take a break from time to time and worked hard, and by evening, the firewood had become a heavy burden. The second woodcutter next door worked for 50 minutes and then took a 10 minute break. But to the first woodcutter who worked non-stop, he had far less firewood. The first woodcutter, who could not understand because he thought he had worked harder, asked.
“No, how did this happen? I've been working non-stop... . Okay, what’s the secret?”
The second woodcutter answered quietly.
“It’s simple, I sharpened my ax blade in a 10-minute break.”
Sometimes we get so focused on work that we forget the importance of rest. Rest isn't just a waste of time, it's a way to do your job better. Just as there is a time to work, there must be a time to rest. Do not waste your time off and do your best to rest.
The holiday season has arrived again this year. How are you planning your vacation, this great opportunity? How about planning a vacation to reshape my life with an empty and organized mind?
In today's text, Jesus said to the disciples who had returned from hard work, "Go and rest for a while in a secluded place."
What does a vacation mean to Christians? Vacation is called laisure in English. This word comes from the Greek word schole. The word skole is derived from the word school (school, class). A true vacation should be a time of learning, a time of class.
A professor named Ryken describes vacation as the 3R.
First, Reflection, that is, looking back, the meaning of reflection. Vacations are a time to look back and find things to be grateful for. It is a time to look back and find something to repent of.
Second, Refreshment is intended to refresh, rejuvenate, and refresh the mood. Vacations are a time to be refreshed. It is an opportunity to meet God deeply and restore new strength in a quiet place.
Third, it is Recreation, a time of re-creation. After the vacation, a new creative event must occur.
Ah! Vacation A really good vacation is a vacation of learning. A truly happy vacation should look back, recharge new spirituality, and start a new history of creation after the vacation is over.
And vacation is an investment. Vacation is called vacation in English. The verb form of vacation is vacate, which means 'to empty, leave, set free'. We also call it Recreation when we take a vacation. Recreation is a compound word of Re and creation, meaning “to recreate.” The true meaning of vacation is right here. A vacation is an opportunity to reflect on yourself, to organize your mind, and to be reborn as a new self. But rest in our society is filled with pleasure, drinking, and derailment. They often travel abroad for prostitution or gambling, and they often offend the locals. These vacations stimulate the peripheral nerves and may be enjoyable, but after vacations you feel more tired, less efficient, and interfere with productive thinking. Vacations are also an investment for the future.
When man was cast out of the Garden of Eden, it means that he had lost his resting place. Nevertheless, humans need a place to rest. Humans are supposed to find a place to rest, both mentally and physically. Music also has commas. A rest of a half beat, one beat or two beats is followed by a comma. You can't just keep singing without taking a break. God created the heavens and the earth in six days and set one day to rest. It means that the rhythm of human life must have commas and shelters. But surprisingly, modern people have no place to rest.
With economic growth and the development of the entertainment industry, luxury leisure is booming everywhere, and large hotels and restaurants are popping up all over the place. These places may be a place to rest for a while, but they are not a place for my soul to rest forever.
A true shelter for modern people! It doesn't end there. We find in the Bible where we truly rest. It says, “Come to me, you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28-29).
“Jesus stood and cried, saying, If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink” (John 7:37-38).
“Come, you who thirst, come to the waters, and he who has no money, come, buy and eat; come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1).
The true church must be a resting place for the saints. But today, such a church is hard to find. Hana Church is a church that worships 365 days a year, has righteousness, peace and joy, and has a community of love and rest. Hana Church is waiting for you. Come quickly.
“Moses said to them, “Thus saith the Lord. Tomorrow is a rest, a holy sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you want to bake, boil what you boil, and keep the rest for yourselves until morning” (Exodus 16:23).
“Keep my sabbaths and honor my sanctuary; I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:30).
* Prayer: Lord, who has given us rest, may I feel your warm arms around me and give me rest in body and mind. Don't let us look at the vanities of the world and boast, and help us to know the time wisely and deal with hardships and difficulties. May the dream of Hana Church, a true shelter, come true soon. We pray in the name of our Savior Jesus.