Rest for the Weary

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.

-- Matthew 11:29

Climbing the career ladder, beating tight deadlines and closing the deal are all marks of success in Western society. Millions of Americans even skip or cut short their well-earned vacations because they’re either afraid to fall behind at work or they can’t find time on their busy calendars. A study by jobs and recruitment website Glassdoor reveals that on average, American workers use only 54% of their eligible vacation time, and nearly 10% take no paid time off at all. That adds up to forfeiting about 200 million vacation days that can’t be rolled over to the next year.

Jesus had the world’s most important job — saving humanity from its sins — and his routine was often nonstop. In just three years he cured disease, raised the dead and even calmed

a raging storm. So with such a tight schedule, it seems like Jesus would have little or no time to take a break or even socialize. But it turns out that he did make a special effort to enjoy quality time away, and often with those who mattered the most to him. And it’s safe to say that he still managed to accomplish his mission. Recorded in Mark’s gospel, Christ’s admonition to his busy disciples paints the hectic picture:

“Now come along to some quiet place by yourselves, and rest for a little while,” said Jesus, for there were people coming and going incessantly so that they had not even time for meals.

Likewise, Luke’s gospel records a time when Jesus visited the home of his friends Martha and Mary. While Martha busily prepared the food and straightened the house for a gathering, her sister Mary decided to take time out and listen to Jesus’ message. Martha was very upset with Mary’s attitude and complained to Jesus about the apparent injustice. But instead of scolding Mary, Jesus commended her for choosing the most important thing: quality time with him. Jesus understood the importance of off-time, and he was even known (and criticized) for attending a party or two!

Wouldn’t it be nice to interrupt our never-ending schedules to recharge our batteries and forget the everyday grind? The Bible teaches us that well-earned rest is part of God’s design for us to do good work. So with that in mind, let’s learn from Jesus’ example of rest for the weary.

All In a Day's Work

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

-- Luke 10:2

Thinking about switching jobs … or considering a new career?

Economists say that the nation’s workforce is enjoying one of the best job markets in decades, with unemployment levels now at 50-year lows. Even so, landing that dream job is often a job itself — even in the best of circumstances. Employers are on the lookout for experienced, can-do candidates who meet some exacting criteria. And those who fail to impress won’t make it to that critical second interview.

The first hurdle is proving that you can do the job. A smart strategy is to share stories with the interviewer about how you’ve met challenges and succeeded at other organizations.

Personality is also a factor. Even if you’re well-qualified, you probably won’t get the job if the employer doesn’t sense the right chemistry. And are you a risk? In other words, do you have a reputation for being difficult to manage? Meanwhile, you must be affordable. There are many well-qualified professionals in the job market, so employers can eliminate you from consideration if they think your salary expectations are unreasonable.

Fortune 500 companies aren’t the only ones with such high standards. For example, Christ-followers are tasked with being a bright light of hope in a dark, troubled world. And since it’s such an important job that can yield eternal, life-changing rewards, only certain candidates are considered. First, they must be available on an as-needed basis. (Expect to work some overtime, weekends and holidays!) They must also follow the Boss’ (Jesus) instructions — even if what he says doesn’t make much sense at the time. Christ-followers should be humble in their work and share the credit whenever it’s due. And to top it off, they need to demonstrate initiative and seek opportunities to help others and make a difference.

Is it any wonder that most folks won’t respond to Christ’s help wanted ad? To borrow the U.S. Navy’s old recruiting slogan, “It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure.” Here’s how Luke’s gospel records Jesus’ words to his would-be candidates:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

Landing a job can be difficult — even in today’s vibrant economy. But here’s some good news: Jesus is hiring right now for his organization’s growing team. And many of his highest producers had no previous experience in the field. Sure, the working conditions aren’t always ideal. But there are plenty of rewards along the way … and the retirement plan is out of this world!

A Higher Purpose

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

-- Romans 8:28

The 101 Uses for Duct Tape article on Self-Reliance Central’s website celebrates the super-strong, cloth-backed tape found in millions of businesses and households around the globe. Although the origin of duct tape is disputed, there’s no doubt that a division of Johnson & Johnson developed a similar product in 1942, which the military used throughout WWII to make quick repairs to everything from weapons to aircraft to jeeps.

Duct tape can also mend broken automobile fan belts, cracked windshields and

split vinyl siding. It’s also great for removing lint from clothing. And if you believe the article on Seeker.com, it’s come through during emergencies to stabilize a cross-country skier’s damaged knee, prevent frostbite and even save the Apollo 13 astronauts. But ironically — for all its versatility — duct tape can fail when used for its original intended purpose: wrapping heating and air-conditioning ductwork!

People, like duct tape, are also designed with an intended purpose or calling. And how can Christ-followers find theirs? The Bible reveals that God has given us certain gifts, talents and resources for advancing his kingdom on Earth. For example, vocalists and musicians might use their gifts in the local church to lead worship on Sunday mornings. Other believers have talents related to behind-the-scenes applications, like bookkeepers and office managers, who help the church make the most of its finances. Meanwhile, these same gifts, talents and resources have applications in the secular world, which can also help identify their owner’s purpose or calling.

The search should begin with regular prayer, Bible study and discernment — the ongoing functions of living, thinking and acting to distinguish between right and wrong, and the essential from the secondary. Meanwhile, our daily circumstances, trials and crises also blend into the mix. But it’s our service that often reveals the answer. That’s because we’re called to be Jesus’ hands and feet on earth. And it’s no coincidence that Christ-followers who complete a mission trip or other acts of service say that they gained more from the experience than those they sought to help.

“In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served,” Jesus reminds us. “He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people." 

As Christ-followers, let’s turn our faith into action — and see what God reveals to us — by accepting his invitation to help brighten a dark, dying world that’s so much in need of guidance, truth and love.

Even duct tape can’t do that.

On the Job

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”

-- Matthew 25:23

In July 2019, Bloomberg,com published its Work Wise report covering the happiest workers in America. And if you believe its findings, a big paycheck doesn’t guarantee satisfaction on the job. Just one of the top five happiest professions — pediatrician — came in at the high end of the salary range. Firefighters reported the highest level of fulfillment, followed closely by mine-cutting operators, communications professors and guidance counselors.

The saying goes that you’ll never work a day in your life if you love what you do for

a living. That’s when a run-of-the-mill job becomes a passion. But whether you’re thrilled with your career or you’re simply putting in the hours for a paycheck, the Bible has some words of wisdom that put things in perspective:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men …”

Whether you’re the CEO of an international corporation or a 9-to-5 ditch-digger, you should do your job for God’s glory. And Christ-followers should consider the workplace as much a place of worship on weekdays as church is on Sundays. What’s more, we must work — and live — with the end in mind. Because once we pass into eternity, job titles and salaries will be worthless. Rich or poor, famous or obscure, we’ll all have to account for what we did in our lifetimes with the gifts and talents our Creator gave us.

The world’s message is that focusing on money, position and upward mobility can lead to successful career, and that a successful career equates to a successful life. But the world has it backwards. Everything we have -- our money, possessions, family and health -- is due to God’s generosity. He gives it freely. And he can take it away without notice.

God’s definition of success surely comes as a surprise to many in the workforce. Instead of living self-centered lives on the fast track to stock options and a corner office, our motivation should revolve around being his hands and feet in the home, workplace and community. It's our faithfulness to Him that's the real measure of success on the job.