Tomorrow afternoon around 4:00 I will fly from Saint Vincent to the States for two-weeks. The first part of that visit will be spent at a Bible Conference with national pastors, then I’ll enjoy some time with family.
I kind of like that setup since the first days are focused on spiritual renewal….
And the last days are focused on physical, as well as emotional renewal.
The trip itself is all about renewal, or “recharging” as I often refer to it. This is a stepping away from ministry for a short period of time (usually going to the US).
The truth is recharging should be more of an emphasis for me (it’s been just under a year and a half since I’ve been home). The reason why is there’s always work left to accomplish. So I’m always too busy to take a break.
But that isn’t the real reason I don’t recharge….
the real reason is I view it as unimportant (and in extreme cases laziness).
This attitude is sinful because it views activity as more important than intensity (the well-known quantity vs quality idea). Without taking time to recharge every once in a while, (at least once a year) I will continue doing activity. But the QUALITY of that activity will be incredibly low,
A short break of a week or two will allow me to refocus, and return doing HIGH QUALITY work.
Recharging is also incredibly important because eventually your strength will just wear down.
The last time I was in the States was for my medical furlough to deal with cataracts in my eyes. At that point it had been two and a half years since I’d been off the field! My family will tell you I came back home completely worn down not only physically, but mentally, and emotionally. It would have been much wiser to schedule a brief trip home for recharging during a quiet season of ministry like the summer months.
I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity God has given me to recharge.
And the challenge to do it more often.
Johnhwilburn.org 