This is a guest post by Craig Kuhn. His goal is to help people draw closer to God by causing them to ponder, however profoundly or fleetingly, the eternal; with the hope that they come to a fuller knowledge of Jesus Christ. He is a husband and father of two boys. He graduated from the University of Oregon, and is slowly pursuing a seminary graduate degree. He lives and works in Oregon.
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Three cups of coffee, several electronic devices, and adrenaline are the modus operandi of my career these days.
Yes, I’m thankful to have a job, one that I, for the most part, enjoy. But circumstances are now calling for 10-hour days during the week with periodic working over the weekends. Such a schedule for a family man who also does ministry mixes into a caustic cocktail of conflict, causing strife, stress, and separation from God.
But I think my situation is a metaphor for culture at-large.
We Live in a Frenzied Culture
One of the banes of Christian existence in American culture—we are too busy, too connected, and too afraid of silence. I will even go as far to say that I believe our jobs may very well be our “new” religion.
And with this economy, I think we are lulled into a sense that we must serve our employer with every waking moment of our increasingly diminishing existence. With smart phones and wireless lap tops, we are virtually able to be “on the job” 24/7.
But is this healthy?
Even now, on a Friday that I forced myself to take off, I am drawn into the lure of checking my work email. But I know if I do, I will let loose an avalanche of electronic bits demanding my immediate attention. I…must…refrain!
While I understand we are to “work heartily as to the Lord” (Colossians 3:17, 23), I believe this is in regard to whatever we are doing—working for an employer, praying over a child, or serving on an Elder bard—we are do it with a heart of directly serving the Lord Jesus Himself.
Find Rest for Your Soul
But what I’m really drawn to in this frenzy of life is Matthew 11:28-30 where Jesus says to the burdened masses:
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Some commentaries state this passage is only to those who feel burdened down by religion. While I don’t dispute this, I also think that Jesus had a much broader scope in mind; I think He was referring to cultural burdens.
When Jesus walked the earth, the culture was heavily influenced by religion;. That doesn’t hold as true in today’s America, but now culture is itself a religion. We are compelled to mercilessly serve employers or risk losing our jobs. We are compelled to serve the currents of trends or risk being left behind. We are compelled to fit in by being quiet about our faith or risk being ostracized and isolated.
Jesus is saying, “Lay all this aside for a moment and just be with Me. There, you will find rest.”
The word ‘rest’ means intermission, or cessation from any motion. It is being still before the Lord (Psalms 46:10); it is waiting on the Lord (Psalms 27:14; 37:9, 34). We do this by simply finding a quiet place to seek God in prayer; quieting our inner voice and just listening to the interior working of the Lord via the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Finding Balance Between Work and Life
As we find a quiet place and time with God, the Lord will begin showing us how to achieve a proper work life/non-work life balance. He will show us how to see through the schemes of the enemy enticing us to keep up with everything new on the market. He will show us how express our faith and live it out in a way that expresses love toward Him and humanity. Or, He may just bathe our soul in a salve of encouragement and healing, restoring the presence of His life-giving Spirit.
Such a rest is a loving balm for our frayed nerves and frantic lives.
But seeking such rest requires intentionally laying aside our lap tops, turning off our smart phones, and seeking solitude with the Father via prayer and Scripture.
Maybe such solitude is found atop a sandy dune or near a mountain stream, but it may also be found in your den or living room (provided the TV is turned off). The key is you make the move toward God, because God has already made the move toward you in Christ.
Make the move, for your rest awaits.
Jesus has been speaking this particular thing to me since church service on Sunday! Each day I’ve made sure to find some time alone with Him, and each day, it’s made the difference!
Thanks for this confirmation word.
Well I just heard was so true I need more of it