I needed to make a quick copy of something on the copy machine one day last week. As I began to push the necessary buttons to make the copy, the machine flashed a message at me stating, " machine making adjustments." It couldn't copy as it was doing this. My initial thought was of frustration as I only needed one quick copy and now I had to wait till the machine was ready. My second thought was, "hmmm, sometimes I feel that way too. I feel like I need a "system adjustment" as I am running out of steam."
Again, initially I was thinking that in making adjustments, I am at rest. I was thinking I needed a minute to breath and chill. Rest is important in ministry -- in life in general. We need that time to breath and recoup. Here at the center, it has been steadily busy. I often comment to people saying my ADD was satisfied because I didn't spend 5 minutes on the same task. The Bible says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28 NIV) Jesus knew that rest was important. God rested after creating the entire universe. We don't need just any rest, but rest that restores us. I will be honest and tell you that I often forget the importance of restoring rest. Sure, I chill most evening with my cat, but I don't take the time to be restored completely. It's like only filling our car up with only half a tank a gas at a time instead of filling it as much as it will hold. If your car is like mine, after I've used half the tank, that other half tends to go much faster. That's how we are. If we don't rest completely, then we suffer the consequences physically, emotionally and even in our relationships with other people.
However, I pondered a bit more on the "system adjustment." I finally realized that the machine wasn't just taking a break at an inconvenient time (for me anyway). It wasn't just chillin' until it felt like making the copy; it was working to fix whatever mechanical issue it was having. It wasn't resting at all.....it was working. OK, so you may be thinking that this discounts the above paragraph completely but it doesn't. We have to work at adjusting our systems. We must make a conscious decision to put whatever electronic down, turn the t.v. off, set the phone down, go for a walk, whatever we have to do to really rest. We also have to evaluate what is draining us. Being restored is a process. Yes, we must rest completely but we must also take stock of where we are expending so much energy and is it worth it. Is it where God needs me, it is how God wants me to spend my energy....etc. I have a bad habit of seeking praise of people. I want them to be proud of me. I want to make them proud. I have had to daily remind myself that I am here for God. I can only do the ministry that God calls me to, not what people call me to. I can't base decisions on people (entirely, I believe God gives us great Christian people to help guide us) This can lead to negative perceptions of the truth. I may misinterpret a message. This is how Satan likes to mess with me. I finally have begun to call it was it is-distraction and sin.I needed and adjustment. I needed to remember who created me for His purpose and He is proud of me when I obey Him. The Bible says: "But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." (Isaiah 43:1 NIV) God knows me by name and calls me His. 'Nough said.
It is important to rest, not just rest but be restored. It is also important to work at being restored through God's Word and evaluating where we are in His plan. Are you in His will or your own? Much energy could be saved if we just ask ourselves, "is this where God wants me?" Making a "system adjustment" can be painful. If we don't, it can be more costly. (both literally and figuratively)
