As people we can be a complex set of walking contradictions. One of those contradictions that struck me today was how it’s culturally ‘right’ to not take ourselves too seriously (i.e., be able to poke fun at yourself etc). Yet, it’s also culturally ‘right’ to place ourselves at the center of the universe (i.e., it’s good to pursue fulfilling our desires at the expense of everyone else). So, according to our culture, we should both devalue ourselves and at the same time be supreme.

One way I struggle with this is taking rest. Not just being blessed by practicing the Sabbath rest, but giving myself appropriate rest throughout the weeks, months, and years. I once worked for five years straight without taking a vacation. I’m not boasting…I was foolish and short sighted. I’m a driven person and love to work hard, but the downside is that it’s easy for me to skip meaningful rest. Christina is the same way. On one hand we take ourselves so serious we’ll work like crazy…and on the other hand we devalue ourselves so much that we fail to take care of the one body we get in this life.

When we were in training with WorldVenture, one of the things they emphasized was our need to rest. These folks know better than we do the pressure of preparing for, and serving in long-term missions (almost everyone we met had at least 10 years overseas missions experience). So we’re taking to heart something we gathered from Wayne Cordeiro – schedule your rest first. Before anything else gets on your calendar, put down when, how, and where you will rest (individually or as a couple if married). As we’re doing this I’m finding it really reduces the anxiety caused by the task before us. Knowing that we have a plan to rest makes the diligent, hard work more joyful.