Learn To Rest

 

DAILY VITAMIN

- Learn To Rest

"After finishing all He created, God ceased from what He had been doing." (Genesis 2:2)

Man for centuries have been compared to machines because the truth is the body somewhat is like a machine itself, only a much delicate one. And just like machines, without rest it will crash.

For effective use, machines are allowed a period of rest to reduce the risk of wear and tear. They are oiled regularly, their parts replaced consistently as required. Why? Because there's nothing in this world that wouldn't break down when overused. And the same applies for mankind.

Unlike machines, the human body have vital organs that can be directly affected by stress. This stress causes the release of certain neurotransmitters that can damage them in the long term. Being mental or physical stress. From cardiac arrest to stroke, most of these ailments have a causative factor related to stress levels. And this is why it's important that you rest.

Most folks prescribe work and play, but some options of play are much stressful than work itself. And as much as play is good, rest is far better. Give your body time to recover after a hard day's work. Don't just jump from the stress of work to the stress of certain plays. Yes, play if you must, but before then rest. Make it compulsory.

These days we have young people slumping at work and even in church. Why? Because just like any machine, when consistently used without respite, the body shuts down. Sometimes only temporarily. What we call a blackout. Sometimes temporarily but with an adverse after effect, like some auto-immune condition springing up. While sometimes permanently. Believe me I've been a victim myself.

You see, God created the body not to be overused. So as much as man and machines seem alike, we weren't meant to be overworked like machines are most times. This is because though the spirit might be strong, the body is liable to weakness when overstressed. The body can die when not applied wisely. Because as much as we are spiritual beings, we live in a mortal world. A bodily realm. And in this world, the human body is the vehicle of operation. Without it, we can have no direct interaction. That's why even God needed a human body to cause the direct change He sought to see among men. So while we are here it is as precious as our very spirit itself. Thus, a good, long and healthy life is a function of not only how well we care for our spirit but for our body also.

But note this, even God rested. Though it seems figurative, still it is very much instructive. Consider this: Seven days. 168 hours. And out of that He rested a full day. Again figuratively. 24 hours. A key pattern of how we ought to live. After harrowing periods of work, you need an extended period of rest. You need some oiling out. Some revitalization. Some refreshment. Because to be at your best in use, you have to be be at your best in preparation. And this preparation includes getting back to a more efficient state via proper rest.

Imagine your body as that car of yours. Imagine if you rode your car a whole year without checking its oil or replacing worn parts or putting in certain repair work; without giving it a break from time to time. I'll tell you what will happen. You'd end up in a scrapyard. For God's sake, even your cars have a good night rest once you return from work. How much more your body?

Hence, do you want to keep being useful to God? Do you want to use your days in this world completely to the best of your ability? Take out some time to stay refreshed. I'm not telling you to grow lazy. No, I'm telling you to balance your life to experience a much effective one. God can't control what you do with your body, only you can. And while He wants us relentlessly spread His word and doing His work, He also expects us to do it wisely. Note the word wisely. Don't be too overzealous and unwise. Take care of your health at all times, because without a functioning body you can't do as much as you want to for the Lord. So choose wisdom, rest.