Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough.
He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love.
His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss.
That’s where he restores and revives my life.
(Psalm 23:1-3 TPT)
Three Sundays ago, I did something I haven’t done in a very long time: I took a solo vacation. The intensity of the last 15 years of my life has meant I haven’t prioritized regular downtime or rest, so it was truly refreshing to get away. I left behind all my responsibilities—family, school, and church—and spent a week in Savannah, Georgia. While I was there, I explored historical sites, enjoyed beautiful scenery, visited incredible museums, savored amazing meals, and even had my feet in the Atlantic Ocean on March 8. Pure bliss!
But the best part of the trip was spending time with my best friend from grad school. We walked, ate, experienced new things, talked, and shared our lives in a way we haven’t been able to do in years. I had been praying that God would restore my friendships, and he certainly answered that prayer during this week. We were like “two peas in a pod” or “kindred spirits.” Having a week where I was only responsible for myself, and sharing that time with a best friend, was truly a gift.
However, returning to my regular life wasn’t easy. I’ll spare you the details, but the vacation and the transition back reminded me of how important rest, relaxation, and even fun are for us as humans. Some people may overindulge in fun, but for those of us who tend to be over-responsible, we sometimes don’t make enough time for things that refresh us. A well-lived life truly includes both work and play. I came across a quote today that really resonates with me:
“Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.” — Louisa May Alcott
Today, I encourage you to consider the balance between your work and play. Perhaps God is inviting you to re-evaluate this balance, as He is with me. Maybe you need to find more time for activities that refresh and restore you, or perhaps it’s time to shift your focus from play to work. Whatever it is, ask God. He hears you, responds, and will meet you right where you are.
Yahweh,
You are our closest friend and our shepherd. We always have more than enough when we seek you and your Kingdom first. You provide a place of rest in your luxurious love and lead us to an oasis of peace beside the tranquil waters of joy. You restore and revive our lives.
Help us find balance between the work we must do and the time to rest, inviting You to refresh us. May our lives include both kinds of time, showing that we understand the value of time that is both productive and pleasant.
May your Spirit continually keep us in the flow of your Love and Grace, your Work and your Play, your Peace and your Hope. We pray in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows worthless things lacks common sense and good judgment. (Proverbs 12:11 AMP)