Have you ever been really, really thirsty? The kind of thirst when your mouth feels like it’s stuffed with cotton and your whole body aches? You’ve possibly felt this if you’ve exerted yourself too much on some of our hotter days this summer. As a distance runner, I’ve had moments on long runs when my fingers tingled (and then went numb) and I my vision got blurry. That’s a bad thing. It’s a pretty clear sign of dehydration and heat exhaustion, and something I always warned my athletes about when I was coaching. And what’s the remedy? Rest and water.
It’s not much different for us in our faith. We can get so busy running around doing all the things that life demands of us that we suddenly find ourselves dehydrated with blurry vision. We can run so hard and fast that our body aches for rest and our soul is parched. And what’s the remedy? You guessed it – rest and water. Jesus invites us to come to him and find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30). He invited the thirsty to come to him and drink, and taste of the living water he offers (John 7:37-38). As leaders, it’s essential that we keep our tanks full and stay well rested for the journey.
Be careful, be certain, to take time from the busyness of life to rest in Christ and drink of His well. Otherwise, when your well runs dry you’ll have nothing to offer those who follow. Spend some time reading a book from the church library, meditating on a favorite scripture, working your way through a commentary. Do whatever it takes to guard some time to rest in the Lord and allow Him to quench your thirst. Your health, and the health of those you lead, depends on it.
