Take a Break!

We live in a fast paced, go-and-get-‘em society. Our days are filled with appointments and scheduling and responsibilities and duties. We have to-do lists, and have-to-do lists, and absolutely-must-do lists. But when do we have time to spend with ourselves and God?

It is absolutely imperative to carve out a little personal time each day and to set aside some extended “me time” every now and again. My personal time usually begins when I open my eyes in the morning and lasts for about a half hour. That’s my time for prayer and meditation, reading and reflection.

But that’s not it. Do you realize the importance of the lunch hour? (Or lunch half-hour for some of my corporate brothers and sisters.) While, of course, there are days when stepping away from your desk is impossible, let’s just say that eating at your desk should be the exception, and not the rule. Take your lunch break every day by doing any of the following:

• Eat. Away from your desk.
• Leave the building. You might just walk around the grounds.
• Take a 20 minute nap. (Yes, I’ve done this in my car.)
• Run personal errands (like picking up that book you’ve been wanting to read).
• Call a friend and chat while they’re on lunch, too.
• Use the time to pray and talk to God.

When you return to your work, I can assure you that you’re more likely to feel recharged, refreshed, and refocused. And don’t even get me started on sick days and vacations. Let’s just say that if your Human Resources director understands the importance of taking a break, so should you.

During His ministry here on earth, we find a couple of examples of Jesus taking some “Me time” of His own. Luke 5:15-16 tells us that crowds of people were constantly seeking Him out, “but Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Having been here on earth and having lived a busy, productive life, Jesus understands your need for rest. In Matthew 11:28, he gives us the invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

I’m taking a break and spending some quality time with Jesus this week. What about you?