By Pastor Bob DeKlavon
Several years ago, I came to the end of myself.
I don’t mean—literally—I was just exhausted.
Along with this came a sense of depression and feeling blue.
We had a friend who ran a counseling center so we set up a time for testing.
I spent hours taking tests and answering questions.
Finally, I met with the counselor to talk.
Come to find out, I had what is called dysthymia.
This is a long term ‘feeling blue’ disorder that had…obviously, developed over time.
Having diagnosed the problem—now came trying to seek solutions.
The counselor began probing and came to a discussion about time-off.
I know we kid about ministers working one day a week and I know you know that is not true.
As it turned out, I had worked 50 days in a row.
Yeah, you read that right.
50 days in a row.
How, you may ask—is that even possible?
Glad you asked.
We had a young church with a plethora of weddings.
Think, now, about the timing of weddings.
Rehearsals are done on Fridays and weddings are done on Saturdays.
Put 4 of them together with VBS and a men’s retreat and a missionary conference and…..
I was exhausted.
The recommendation of the counselor was 3-fold:
One—get counseling Two—go on an anti-depressant Three—take a day off
Long story short—I did the third one first and within two weeks did not need the others.
Just taking concentrated, concerted, intentional time off totally changed my spirits.
Obviously, there ARE times when it is not possible but I try hard to preserve that time.
Now—the dilemma for those who serve the Lord is found in 2 verses in the book of Galatians.
In 6:9-10 we find: “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”
Years ago, Jan and I heard someone say: “I would rather ‘burn out’ than rust out.”
Each of us looked at each other and said: “but either way you are out.”
I want to serve the Lord always and at every opportunity.
But….remember to take some time to find the time just to rest.
That may be the most spiritual thing needed in your life at that time.