I have never liked feeling unproductive. Yet, I have unproductive seasons in my life like everyone else does. My aversion to being still might have something to do with; Attention Deficit Disorder, way too much coffee in the morning, or because of the work ethic that I caught from my grandfather, father, and other mentors. Most of which had an unhealthy addiction to work. I know now, of course, that being overtaxed, whether it be physically, mentally, or spiritually, in our lives is never good or God honoring.
The reality is there are times when less is more. John the Baptist knew all too well about this. “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:28–30) The simple reality of life is that we can’t do everything and be everywhere. We are not God. We cannot manage every crisis for others or meet every need in the world and community. We are not the Almighty.
Therefore we must understand that from time to time we will all come into seasons when less of something is necessary to make room for something, in order to honor God. Consider our need to take time for a Sabbath rest. I am not talking about a legalistic stand on Friday night to Saturday night, but the principle from the beginning, of taking time to rest at some point each week. Sabbath, in the Old Testament (OT) means to cease, rest, have complete rest, or desist. This principle is found in every section of the OT biblical texts and is dealt within the New Testament (NT) as well by Jesus and other NT writers. But in order to have a Sabbath rest, we must give up work, labor, or toil. Even though we think we are losing out, God blesses our labor when we take time to rest. The “less is more” principle allows you and I to focus on what matters. Making time for the best things in this life often requires us to give up a good thing here and there. Finding a time to make space for rest can be difficult in a world that is driven by the tyranny of the urgent. Take a moment today to stop, breathe, and rest.