Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest

 It was early morning as he sat on the edge of his bed, head in hands and heart heavy. His workload had increased ten-fold, at least, over the past six months. Pressure to deliver was mounting and people were placing undue expectations upon him. Business had improved but, along with increased productivity came increased responsibility. With increased responsibility came undue criticism and judgement.

Joe was at the end of his tether. He’d been working almost 7 days per week for months and had simply run out of fuel. He had lost motivation to go on and was emotionally numb. Joe was a gentle amicable person but now he found himself consumed with cynicism. Hot tears well up in his tired eyes he began to sob uncontrollably. He’d never felt this way before. Joe was on the verge of crashing.

Have you ever reached the point that Joe reached on that formidable morning – overworked, fatigued and burnt out? God did not create us to work 7 days a week at the expense of family and health. Apart from the obvious effects of stress on the heart and digestive system, research reveals that stress can also cause asthma, obesity and Alzheimer's disease.

God has given you a precious cargo. You have a life and a purpose that he has created for you to honour him. You have a family who need you to be strong and secure. Jesus once said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” The Lord God created the universe in six days and then rested on the seventh. God is not a man that he should require rest (he neither slumbers nor sleeps) but he set us the example of the Sabbath, so that we might rest. It is not only a sin to violate the Sabbath, it’s foolish! Jesus also told us to come to him when we’re weary and then he would give us rest. He told us to be yoked with him in our work. You see, when we yoke up with Christ, he becomes our motivation and stamina.

If you feel the way Joe did that morning, when his world fell apart, take a break! Come to Jesus and he will give you rest.

God-tracking is taking a God-given Sabbath rest. Beware of burnout!

READ ALL ABOUT IT
Mark 2:27-28
Psalm 121
Matthew 11:28-30 

Follow Dudley Anderson on Twitter @godtracker

DON’T GIVE UP, LOOK UP & PRAY

I am burdened and weary and hand over all my duties and responsibilities over to him

“O Lord, I am tired. I admit that I have been working far too much and far too long without taking a rest. I’m beginning to see the effects it’s having on my health and my family’s wellbeing. I’m sorry for not taking a Sabbath rest. Forgive me for this sin and help me to rearrange my daily routines so that I can take a Sabbath. Lord, I commit my work to you and acknowledge you in all I do. May I begin to see your hand of blessing and peace in my life. I come to Jesus, because I am burdened and weary, and hand over all my duties and responsibilities over to him. Amen.”

If you desire more prayer, please email me - [email protected]

Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa Dudley Anderson began writing for radio in 1994. Dudley currently writes a weekly e-mail Christian motivational thought called GodTracker and has complied 2 devotional books based on GodTracker. More information at surereaity.net