"And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, ‘Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee'" (1 Kings 19:7).

After my car broke down on the way to the airport and a friend had brought me alternate transportation, I felt sure I could still make it in time to catch my flight. One detour, a painting crew, and several instances of road construction later, I was in a shuttle bus headed for the airport. When I entered the terminal, I was relieved to see there was no line. I walked directly to the counter, slid my credit card, and waited hopefully. At that point, the attendant behind the counter informed me I was too late to check in for the flight. My heart sunk. I tried to remain calm, sucking in a deep breath to relieve my lungs, which had been oxygen-starved during the last moments of anticipation. It was one of those days.

I imagine you have had one of those days before as well. Perhaps you have even had one of those weeks. In fact, I remember a time as a principal of a small Christian school joking with my colleagues that I was having one of those years! At certain times, being a teacher, administrator, parent, or even a student can seem like an endless challenge. Pressures of the school year can overwhelm, and there is always more that can be done to make the best assignment, the best lesson, or the best school year. Naturally, we work hard because we know that this educational endeavor is work for God's kingdom, but sometimes we just want to throw up our hands and say, "I've had enough, Lord. I can't deal with this anymore." That must have been the way Elijah felt after working hard for the cause of the kingdom and then facing death at the hands of wicked Queen Jezebel. I know my situation has never been so serious, but like Elijah, I have asked why I have had it so rough. I have felt overworked and underpaid as an employee in a Christian school. I have wondered why everything seems to go wrong on some days, and I have wondered when I am going to get my big break.

It is at these times that I need to slow down and get both physical and spiritual nourishment. I need to stop my busyness and get some rest, ignoring the deadlines for a while and turning to God for refreshment. We all need that on occasion, and God planned for that by giving us a day of rest, commanding that we spend at least one day a week focused on Him. George Herbert expressed this well in a poem found in Alpha Omega Publications' English II curriculum. The last stanza reads:

Yet let him keep the rest,
keep them with repining restlessness;
Let him be rich and weary, that at least,
If goodness lead him not, yet weariness
May toss him to my breast.

If you have just had one of those days, weeks, or even years, perhaps you need to take some time for rejuvenation. Without guilt, accept some time for relaxation and let God be a part of it. It worked for Elijah. After his respite, he went on a forty day and forty night journey. He met with God and later did more great things for the Lord.

I don't expect I'll ever go on a forty day and forty night trek, but I do know that after a deep breath and a prayer, I was able to get on another flight, make my connection, and get to my destination. I slept well that night, and the next day, I was able to relax a while before taking on the next challenge. In my own small way, I can be effective for the Lord if I simply remember to rest. You can, too.

Lord, thank You for the challenges You give me in my life. I know I can't do everything on my own. Teach me to wait upon you daily and enjoy the blessed times of rest. Thank You for Your everlasting faithfulness. In Jesus' name, Amen.