Ask:
Is rest and renewal a regular rhythm in your life?
Why:
God has punctuated time by establishing day and night, specific seasons, special celebrations and Sabbath. Developing similar rhythms for our lives and specifically for rest is biblical and life-giving.
The Sabbath commandment, Jesus’ discipline of taking time away to connect with the Father, and a growing mountain of research on productivity point to the need for regular rest and rhythms of renewal.
Unfortunately, in our 24-7 world where busyness is often worn as a badge of honor, many people sacrifice rest and self-care. The costs are significant – the sleep deficit alone reduces efficiency, impairs judgment, diminishes creativity, clouds thinking and increases susceptibility to illness and disease.
Listen:
If your mentee answers ‘no’, explore further and listen for the underlying reason(s). Consider asking or exploring:
- Could something deeper be driving your activity level? (i.e. a skewed view of God, a desire for ‘more’ money/stuff/esteem/appreciation, poor boundaries, poor planning, lack of trust in God)
- What’s the value of Sabbath, rest and renewal? What would developing rhythms of rest and renewal positively change in your life?
- Then ask: What could a next step be for you? Work with your mentee to address any deeper issues and to outline some practical and tangible action steps.
Recommended Resource
Mark Buchanan is a pastor, author and graduate of the Arrow Leadership Program. If you are seeking to take next steps to grow in the area of rest and renewal, this book is for you!
Promise:
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, bt the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.” Exodus 20:8-10
