Relax

Have you ever had a hard time relaxing.  Our bodies and our minds don't come with off switches to suddenly switch us into rest mode.  No, we get into a rhythm and it's hard to just stop.  I know that there are days that I am running full bore from the moment that my feet hit the floor.  At the end of that day, it's hard to impossible to shut it down and relax.  Our bodies and our minds need downtime but we can't just flip a switch.

I think that there is a combination of our modern world and the American culture that makes relaxation difficult.  We are ultra connected.  Through our laptops and phones there is a lot of work that can be done in our off time, so we do it.  Then this sets an expectation to others that this is how it needs to be.

In most countries in the world paid vacation time is required by law, but not so in the USA.  In fact, many employees who do get vacation time, don't take it.  I recently read an article about paternity leave for new fathers.  The article said that even at companies offering it, most men won't take it.

So we live in a world that makes relaxation difficult, and this is just based on the stresssers of life.  No one is trying to harm us.  Soldiers talk about the stress of being in a war zone.  Everything that you do is based on safety and security.  With enemies all around, you can never truly relax,  It's not about meeting a deadline or impressing the boss, it is life and death.

Which brings us to the 23rd Psalm.  In verse 5 it says, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;..." Imagine being surrounded by enemies ready to attack and still having the peace of a family holiday,

Watch this clip from Pastor Lloyd.

Peace during conflict is the promise.  When we have troubles and stresses and ever danger God promises us peace.  It seems like in theses days of constant stress and worry, more of us should take Him up on it.