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“ It is all too easy to be caught up and continuously work to complete a list of never-ending tasks, both professional and domestic, leaving no time for rest and reflection.

HOW often do you take a break?

I’m not talking about a holiday or day out, rather a time to stop all normal routines – apause and a moment to sit and feel a moment of stillness.

In today’s world, there is a 24/7 culture – everything should be on hand, all day every day to provide instant gratification and accessibility.

It is all too easy to be caught up and continuously work to complete a list of neverending tasks, both professional and domestic, leaving no time for rest and reflection.

And yet times to pause can be hugely beneficial.

God himself knew the value of rest, as outlined in the book of Genesis. In today’s world, the seventh day is now the same as the other six days of the week.

Yet there is value in pausing and resting. A recent family bereavement resulted in a period of enforced personal rest. There was nothing to do but allow the earthquake of grief to pass – along with its tumultuous tremors and aftershocks. It was not a time for work and domestic duties.

There were necessary tasks which, however, required to be performed – tasks, which at normal times would have been easily completed. Grief, however, is a different ball game and even the simplest task felt heavy and sapped every ounce of energy and dragged down every fibre of being.

Bit by bit the wheels of the world continued to turn and the normality of everyday life necessarily poked its way back into renewed living.

But the time away from daily routines – time to just simply ‘be’ had allowed the process of necessary healing to begin and for moments of hope to emerge.

There are times in life (bereavement included) when you simply have to be still. For it is in these moments when minds are resting that you can catch the presence of God and healing love.

Constant busyness means the opportunity to encounter the peace and tranquillity – or even inspiration – of such moments can be lost. Short breaks away from routine allow us to return refreshed and renewed for the tasks ahead. Even computers go into sleep mode when they are not being used, preserving power for when their input will be needed for work and recognising the need to conserve for the challenges ahead.

Acknowledging the need for rest – and regular breaks – improves not only wellbeing but also offers space and time to listen and perhaps catch God’s vision for our life and work as the journey of life continues. 

Lynne McNeil Editor