"We need to depart daily, withdraw weekly, and abandon annually”…. Rick Warren
It takes energy to do God’s work, and to do it with a standard of excellence. Yet, we can’t run on eight cylinders all the time because we tire and need downtime for recovery. We need to learn how to refuel. Ministry is a marathon, not a short distance sprint. If you want to last in the ministry you have to learn how to recharge yourself spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally.
Depart Daily……….. Do your work each day, but at the end of the day leave it until tomorrow. We need to leave it at the office as much as possible, and protect the sanctity of our homes. Depart daily also means making time for daily rest, relaxation, exercise, hobbies, and other interests, as well as time with God, Bible reading, writing in a prayer journal, meditating, and/or praying.
Withdraw Weekly……… My Sabbath. Everyone needs at least one day a week as a Sabbath of rest. Working seven days a week is an epidemic among pastors and those in ministry. We think if we slow down, even a bit, everything we have worked for will fall apart. Maybe. Maybe not. It still doesn’t change the fact that we need a day of rest…. every single week. As God demonstrated when He created the heavens & earth, we are engineered to works six days and rest one.
Abandon Annually…………. At least once a year we need to leave everything behind, work & all, by taking an extended vacation. This is time in which you can rejuvenate with God, yourself, and your family. You need time for rest, reflection, and restoration. If you are going to personally grow over the next year, you are going to need this time of ‘being away’ in order to keep leading at the high level of excellence that God calls you to.
It takes energy to do God’s work, and to do it with a standard of excellence. Yet, we can’t run on eight cylinders all the time because we tire and need downtime for recovery. We need to learn how to refuel. Ministry is a marathon, not a short distance sprint. If you want to last in the ministry you have to learn how to recharge yourself spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally.
Depart Daily……….. Do your work each day, but at the end of the day leave it until tomorrow. We need to leave it at the office as much as possible, and protect the sanctity of our homes. Depart daily also means making time for daily rest, relaxation, exercise, hobbies, and other interests, as well as time with God, Bible reading, writing in a prayer journal, meditating, and/or praying.
Withdraw Weekly……… My Sabbath. Everyone needs at least one day a week as a Sabbath of rest. Working seven days a week is an epidemic among pastors and those in ministry. We think if we slow down, even a bit, everything we have worked for will fall apart. Maybe. Maybe not. It still doesn’t change the fact that we need a day of rest…. every single week. As God demonstrated when He created the heavens & earth, we are engineered to works six days and rest one.
Abandon Annually…………. At least once a year we need to leave everything behind, work & all, by taking an extended vacation. This is time in which you can rejuvenate with God, yourself, and your family. You need time for rest, reflection, and restoration. If you are going to personally grow over the next year, you are going to need this time of ‘being away’ in order to keep leading at the high level of excellence that God calls you to.
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