“Hey babe I’m going to start writing a blog to help others learn about rest and balance in their lives” (Cue: loud laughter coming from my wife Tammy). Me: “No really, I’m serious.” Tammy: “You, telling others how to rest and relax? Now that’s funny. Can you even spell those words? ” Ok, ok, I get it I have not necessarily modeled a life of rest and balance. Over the years I have more closely resembled the poster child for activity and adrenaline. In fact, one year a co-worker gave me an “Energizer bunny” Christmas ornament as a gift. True story.

However, after an exhaustive examination of the Scriptures about Sabbath rest and reading 35 books and numerous articles on the subject of rest and life balance over the past 4 years, I am gradually gravitating toward a greater understanding of the principles and practices that lead to a life of true rest.

The first step toward a more balanced life and rest is recognizing and admitting you do not have one. This will require an honest assessment on your part. More on that in upcoming Rest Stops. The second step is you must be willing to sail against strong headwinds. You will find little support in a world where busyness is worn as a badge of honor and has become a proxy for productivity, and rest is for the weak. Interesting, one dictionary defines busyness as “lively but meaningless activity.” Trust me, you will have to make the first move! In the words of poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox,

“One ship drives east and another drives west

With the selfsame winds that blow.

Tis the set of the sails

And not the gales

Which tells us the way to go.”

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