For God's Sake... Take a Break!

"Jesus, tired from the journey, sat down there at the well." (John 4:6)

Man, I like this verse!! It really depicts Jesus' limitation as a human being. He who is omnipotent chose to be limited for our sake.

I like the fact that even Jesus have enough sense to take a rest whenever he feel tired.

Often times, as faithful Christians, we can be ridden with guilt when we feel that we need rest. We feel that we are being idle, we feel that we are neglecting our families, works, or ministries. Furthermore, there is this sick pride that we have on being busy. The busier we are, the more important we feel.

Let me tell you: taking a break and pausing is a good exercise in wisdom, humility, and above all faith!!!

Often, when Jesus was taking a break, there were still a great multitude of people waiting to talk to him, to be healed, to be fed, and so forth. However, he is wise enough to know when he needs a break. He has a great faith in the wisdom and love of his Father. His Father also love the people as much as he does. And his Father will take care of the people.

In our case: God loves the people, our families, more than we can ever love them! Sometimes we are unable to take a break not because we have a great devotion to our families and ministries. It is pride!!! We are only the extension of God's loving hands, serving the people. However, it is God who heals them, who comforts them, and who fed them. Not us. The world had been going around before we exist and it will still go around without us.

Then again, why serve?

We are the one who needs to serve. Jesus knows this. That is why he gave us the parable of the three servants who were given some talents to invest. Does the master needs the result? No. He was rich already, and he would still be rich even if he lost the talents altogether. However, the work that the servants did was a proof of their faithfulness to their master, their integrity to their jobs, and a proof of their love to the master. Give the master his due, and he will give to us even more than we can ever imagine.

Remember that God is the wisest and the most compassionate Father and Master that we can ever have. He knows when we need rest. He knows when we were "broke" and need more time to give His due. He understands. He does not put undue burdens on us. He does not care about the offering. He cares about our hearts, our humility, our passion, and our love.

What is the use of having thousands of "good" deeds if they cause us to love less? The Father does not want a grudging-hardworking children (see the older brother of the prodigal son). Rather, He wants us to have wisdom and faith that He will bless us in our limitations. He is the one who start loving us first, and He will be the one who finishes the work!


God bless you all,
Adrianus Indra Setiadi