The alarm goes off in the morning and the race is on.  You crawl out of bed at a turtle’s pace and make it to the shower.  As you run the upcoming day through your mind, your senses come alive. In fact, it becomes intense as you think about it.

Kids to school, Jamie to the dentist appointment, report due today for my boss, meeting where I’m presenting, two after-school practices for soccer in two different places, get dinner done tonight in time for Bobby’s lessons… just pick up burgers…

It’s no wonder that joy has escaped the average Christian.  There’s no room for it in the schedule.

But the problem is deeper than that. You don’t rest.  You’re chasing life, whether it be a full schedule with kids or activities of your own.

The truth is that anxiety, fear, rushing and striving take the place of joy.

Instead of kicking yourself and being disappointed in your lifestyle, here’s a suggestion.

Rest.

Yes. Rest.

“But I don’t have time!” you say. “You just described my life to a “t”.

Not a good excuse.  Jesus had one of the most demanding schedules I can think of and he found time to rest.  Even in crisis.

“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’”  (Mark 4:35-38 ESV)

Can you rest when the constant winds and waves of life smack you around?

I think it’s time to change your schedule so there’s room for rest.  You’’ have margin in your life to recuperate, refresh and rejuvenate.  You must find the time.

Start today and carve out 20 minutes to rest.  It may come at lunch, where you simply go to your car and sit there, emptying your heart to the Lord.  Or even taking a nap.

Jesus invites you.  “”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 ESV)

Give yourself permission to rest today.  And tomorrow.  And the next day.

We are finite creatures and we need the replenishing practice of rest. Without feeling guilty for enjoying it.

If you practice rest on a daily basis, I know that the joy of the Christian life will seep back into your life.

(Experience more joy when you read my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Joy).