“He shall enter into peace; they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. - Isaiah 57:2
At regular intervals on the United Kingdom’s motorways, you are confronted with this signpost “Tiredness can kill – take a break.” So it’s hard not to feel a sense of guilt as we yawn past yet another rest or service station. But the signs are more than just a memorable road-safety slogan. Tiredness really does kill: driver fatigue alone is responsible for 1 in 5 road traffic accidents, and causes some hundreds of unnecessary deaths per year apart from lifelong disabilities.
Tiredness is not only exprerienced by drivers but by everyone in our various vocations. God at creation set aside a whole day to rest despite only working for few minutes per day during the week. It is compulsory to take annual leave including God’s servants (clergymen) of a minimum of 25 days in a year and could be as long as 45 days in some establishments. Tiredness poses high risk to error making, poor leadership decisions, judgements. Fatigue can lead to ill-health and invariably heart attack or cardiac arrest. The body needs rest to heal. Hence those who cheat nature heal poorly and harbour chronic diseases.
Irrespective of your vocation or employment status, you still labour. To students, workers, clergymen, and unemployed hustling day and night, Christ says ‘Take a break’. Beyond work, there are burden of sins, financial difficulties, spiritual problems, mental stress etc. Christ says, ”take a break”. Some tend to create unhealthy, sinful rest for themselves by entering beer parlour, brothel to think they want to ‘lighten up’. This a way of destruction because they end up with heavier burdens.
Beloved, as we journey in this life, we must take frequent breaks at intervals. It is the Lord’s command. “He shall enter into peace; they shall rest in their beds”. And above all, Come to Christ today, you will find refreshing and everlasting rest for your soul. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1; Hebrews 4:3; Isaiah 28:12).
Today's Morning Prayers: Oh Lord Jesus, thank You for offering this opportunity today. I come to you first with my burden of sins, take them. I come with my all other burdens take them and make me find rest in You today.Keep me from destructive pleasure in the name of ‘relaxing’.Bless the work of my hands and my intellect. I receive Your grace and peace to always take frequent breaks from my vocations.Grant me more faith to trust You everyday that it is not by might but your spirit. I receive my rest in Jesus mighty name. Amen!
Today’s Hymn: Just Obey (CHS 146)
Today’s ReadMe: Psalm 85 - 89