Rest is not a four-letter word…
So… how are those New Year’s resolutions panning out? You know, the resolution to write 3000 words a day, spend a couple hours sending out queries, update your website and cap off the day by posting an insightful entry on your blog .
To be honest… whether the reason stems from feeling overwhelmed with a never-ending “to-do” list or a simple case of spring fever, there are times when I am so unmotivated to accomplish anything that I’m tempted to trade my computer for one of those little robotic vacuums. You know – the kind you see on TV — designed to follow its owner around the house sucking up debris. This way, at least one of us would be getting something done.
I mentioned my feelings of lethargy to a writer friend recently and she surprised me by responding, “Well, Cyndy, maybe you just need to rest.”
Rest??? It doesn’t say anything in Proverbs about slacking off. In fact, I seem to recall the word “sluggard” mentioned no less than 14 times in this book alone.
Rest!!! Who has time to rest when I am so behind on my deadline – much less the laundry? I even had to raid my husband’s underwear drawer this morning!
Ahhh… Rest… An intriguing concept. But in today’s competitive world of publishing, a lost art.
Not on my watch.
I say it’s high time all of us – even “driven” writers and editors — resurrect the fine art of resting – and the best place to start is with the One who invented it. Here’s a little of what God says about “rest” in the Bible…
Rest is commanded by God. “Work six days and rest the seventh.” Exodus 34:21
Jesus needed rest. “Jesus said, ‘Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.’ For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat. So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves.” Mark 6:31
Rest is a precious gift from God. “It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know He enjoys giving rest to those He loves?” Psalm 127:2
Ahhhhh…. A gentle breeze from the heart of God.
Who am I to turn down such a beautiful gift from the One who cares so much for me that He knows the number of hairs on my head? So go ahead — curl up in your favorite chair or stretch out on the sofa for a little “horizontal thinking.” Both you and your writing will profit.
