Hit The Brakes

 
For the last four years, I've had a jam-packed schedule. I had committments just about everyday of the week. There were many days during the work week when I would start my day at 4am to head to the station, come home around 3pm, eat (and sometimes cook diiner), and head right back out to lead worship team rehearsals, not getting home until 9:30pm. If I didn't have rehearsals, I was planning music for upcoming services at two churches. 

Finally, my prayer was to ask God to show me how to restructure my life. I'm sure God was thinking, what took you so long! Yes, I know. I still struggle with letting go of control. That's a topic for another devotional...

It was hard. There was the possibility of losing extra income. But what was more important- more money or getting rest and being a better Christ-follower, better father and husband? 

I made the decision to scale back on my commitments. I ended up stepping down as worship pastor at one of the churches, putting all of my effort into the other church. It gave me the opportunity to truly have a Sabbath Day. 

That's when God really started working. He started bringing peace to my heart and assuring me this was the right decision. My family and I have been abloe to worship together- even those days when I am leading worship. It has allowed me to focus more on my ministry, while still being more present for my family.

God knew how stubborn I can be. He didn't stop there. The following day, I received a daily devotion email entitled "Jesus Needed Rest and So Do You" by Alli Worthington. She focused on Mark 4 where Jesus, despite being amongst the crowds of people longing to hear His message and needing healing, told the disciples to come with Him in the boat to rest (Mark 4:35-40). He was setting boundaries in His time. If Jesus could set boundaries and make time to regularly rest, why couldn't I? (If you want to read this devotional, click this link)

Okay, God... I got it. Rest, restructure my life, trust in You. Make more time for You and and my family. That's what I'm going to do.

Are you facing a similar struggle? Are you overextended and feeling worn out? If I don't do all of this, am I a bad Christian?

Nope. It's in the Bible. God rested (Genesis 1), we are to rest on the Sabbath (Exodus 20),  Jesus rested (Mark 4), and told us to rest (Mark 6).

Therefore, let us be diligent to enter that rest…” (Hebrews 4:11)

I will pray for you as you add those boundaries in your life. On one condition- you do the same for me!

In Christ's love,

Rob