You Need a Break

January 2, 2008

By James Fields

After completing His creation, God designated the seventh day as a day of rest. "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done" (Genesis 2:2,3, NIV).

God rested from all His work, but He didn't rest because of fatigue. "The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary" (Isaiah 40:28). God created the day of rest for humans.

Why did Adam and Eve need a day of rest? They had not yet sinned. Death and decay did not yet exist. Cells in their body didn't waste away and create muscle fatigue. Their pure minds never produced emotional exhaustion through worry or anxiety. So, why did they need to rest?

Their Creator merely wanted them to enjoy a break from routine.

It's different with you and me. We have sinned. We are susceptible to decay and anxiety. You don't have to do anything to need rest. Every moment your heart beats, your respiratory system labors and millions of microscopic cells perform myriads of energy-consuming tasks. All of these biological activities use energy and create fatigue.

But there remains the blessing God intended for our rest. We humans need breaks from routine. Taking time off from responsibilities allows your body to catch up on physical and emotional rest. You return to life with renewed vigor and stamina.

Please follow God's wise counsel and make time for breaks. If you fail to do this, your emotions and body will break and become ill.

Many Christians think they have no time for rest and relaxation. Some overly conscientious Christians believe recreation wastes time. Others simply say, "I'm too busy to enjoy rest." You have no choice in the matter. God designed us for both work and rest. Remember, God invented breaks. You need them.

-- James and Delores Fields are veteran Assemblies of God pastors and former missionaries. They founded Comfort and Encouragement Ministries in 1997.