Mark 2:27 NLT

Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.”

The first principle in finding rest for our lives is to take back control of our time. Here I mean the time left after what I contribute to my employer or my business, and the hours when I nourish my whole being through sleep. The most important thing here is honesty. It may well be that we have little choice over our employment, yet we do have decisions to make over what’s worth spending time on. So often the depression created through the type of job we do or the way there’s not enough money to cover a month’s living expenses means we give up control over our life. How can things work out? The weight of daily living bears down on us and we lose sight of the purpose for our life. We stop dreaming and just operate at a basic functional level.

When we are weighed down, we tend to establish unhealthy routines. We eat what appears quick and easy but is really unhealthy food. We channel-surf slumped in front of the TV. We doze and get to bed too late and wake jaded and depressed at yet another day stretching before us. God invites us to take charge and exercise responsibility within our life. We have these 77 hours within which to build the life we want. Time marches on and will simply carry us to the grave unless we establish some great reasons for living.

When God rested, he considered what he’d created. He was content and expressed gratitude. We can all appreciate our life. There are always distractions and demands but it is possible to set some to one side. For me that means family time, working in the garden with Jayne or taking our dog for a walk. What about you?

QUESTION: How clear are you about what you want out of life?

PRAYER: Lord, help me to lay down labour to pick up worship and rest.