“Running on reserve battery!”

This is my least favorite Mac message … but it is a great reminder to stop and recharge. Usually, I keep going until the computer automatically shuts down; occasionally, I take the hint and scroll down to “sleep” before putting myself to bed.

This is life. So often we push ourselves well beyond our limit ignoring all signs that we are “running on reserve”, masking our true fatigue with coffee and energy drinks, burning the candle at both ends, and wondering why we hit a wall.

Can you relate?

What we really need is a little R&R. If the gas tank is empty we’ve got to fill it up!
Rest actually increases productivity. There is a good reason why the Lord mandated the Sabbath. Even God took a break after six days of creating. He commanded the Israelites to let the land lay fallow every seventh year. Ever wonder why farmers rotate their crops?

Do you plan for regular times to relax, replenish, refresh, refuel, rejuvenate, or whatever you like to call it? In other words … Do you REST? If it’s been a while – time to revamp that schedule. What time do you go to bed? Does that allow you eight hours of sleep before you have to get up? Do you take naps? What day of the week do you get to “cease from all your striving”? Does it actually revive you enough to start into the next week? When was the last time you took a vacation (even a short weekend excursion)?

I’ve been craving a trip to the beach I frequented when I lived in California … but time and $ only permitted a two-day escape to Branson, Missouri. Didn’t see any shows this time … just relaxed with my “sis” at our preferred “resort”. I enjoyed floating in the u-shaped Whirlpool while staring up at the clouds, watching a spectacular fire and water display at the Landing, rollerblading with ice cream sundaes-to-go in hand, listening to the winner of the annual fiddle fest, savoring ribs, steak, shrimp, sweet potatoes, trout, asparagus, and fancy cheeses at our favorite restaurants, sleeping in and watching a cute dog movie, etc.

Brief but refreshing!

Dialing down, taking our minds off the swirl of daily activities, and changing our scenery are just tangible means that direct our souls to the true Source of refreshment. Jesus said, “Come to Me, you who labor. I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Here’s a novel idea … this “Labor Day” how about celebrating a day of rest from your labor? Why not just “be”? Bob Fraser, director of the Joseph Company, likes to say, “God created human beings not human doings.” We sure like to do a lot, but as we stop to “wait upon the Lord” He promises to renew our strength (Isaiah 40:31).

Would you rather scurry along the ground like a rat in a race to nowhere or “mount up with wings as eagles” and soar over the mountains? Personally, I’d like to fly!

Let’s take time to recharge our batteries.

- Chérie Blair