Mid-Year Reflections in the Year of Rest

By Ps Ng Zhiwen

“Dear wife, do I look more rested?”

We are about half-way through the Year of Rest, and I thought I’d get some honest feedback.

My wife told me something that I had been sensing – I have been no less busy than I was last year.

That’s true. It seems like there has been no end to things calling for my attention. I suspect that has been the same for many if not most of my colleagues.

So how then has this year been restful?

For starters, one cannot just declare this to be the year of rest and then expect to do less. Things happen; things beyond our control.

But some things can be changed. I’m so thankful to have secured Session’s approval to take a one-month sabbatical in December this year. This gives me more days of leave that can be taken earlier and get myself breathing room if necessary.

Mondays have remained as rest days. There were times when I’ve had to get work done on Mondays, but these are tell-tale signs that I’m doing too much and need to cut down. I know I must cut that out.

But the most important indicators for me are twofold:

First, when I’m faced with more work – say a new burden or a new challenge – am I responding in a more restful way? Do I tend to react in a very ‘fleshly’ way or am I trusting in the Lord? In this respect, Psalm 45 has been most instructive, reminding me not to rely on human resourcefulness but to be still and know that the LORD is God, and that He is my fortress and my refuge.

Second, do I still enjoy the presence of the LORD? Do I delight in Him? Or have I been so busy being a Martha that I’ve forgotten to be like Mary, who chose the good portion and sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him. Honestly, I’ve caught myself a couple of times rushing through my quiet time with the LORD.

But I remember that the most restful thing for me is still to let myself be loved by God – my first love. To receive from Him what only He can give. To take myself lightly. And to be satisfied in Him alone.

And oh yes… my wife did say that I’ve become more patient. 
May He bear more fruit in me.