Our little dog Bandit loves to chase his ball. In fact, I'd say he's obsessed with it. No matter how many other toys we give him, he will always choose that faded green rubber ball.

Bandit wants everyone to throw his ball, so he can fetch it. He will chase it over and over and over, until he physically wears himself out. His little body gets so wound up, it's like a battery that gets more charge with each throw.

You'd think he would know when to stop, but he doesn't. We finally have to say 'no more' so he will rest.

It reminds me of how I get sometimes.

Projects. Things to do. A full calendar. I like being busy.

So much so in fact, that I can't sit down to watch a favorite TV show if I look over and see a pile of clutter on the table. I have to get up and deal with the clutter right then.

Because in order to relax, I need to feel like I've gotten something accomplished first. The problem is that I've never stopped to define the word accomplished.

Focusing on the unfinished tasks around me drives me to an unhealthy state of frustration, that eventually ends in what I like to call 'flip-out' mode. I've become very adept at keeping the flipping out inside myself and not letting the frustration fly into the face of those around me, but keeping it inside isn't the best solution.

Because when I hold it in, I'm not dealing with the root of the issue.

In her book Doing Busy Better, Glynnis Whitwer writes about how God wanted to teach the Israelites how to rest by giving them the commandment regarding the Sabbath. In her book, she says,

"God wanted to heal their hearts and minds from generations of bondage, and that would only come through dependence on One who was completely trustworthy."

The Israelites had lived as slaves for generations in bondage. They needed to learn balance. They needed to learn how to rest.

I love Glynnis' words in the image above. "God modeled a simplicity of work that feels refreshing and focused." The Israelites had to unlearn years of behaving as slaves. And just like them, we may not know how to find the right balance of work and rest in our own lives.

That's why we need the wisdom of God's Word and His gentle hand to guide us.

I've enjoyed reading Glynnis' book Doing Busy Better this summer. Her teaching has inspired me to find balance, and to quit chasing that ball over and over until I wear myself out.

Even those of us who are wired for work can learn how to rest.

Kristine

If you'd like to read more about What the Bible Says about Being too Busy, click the title link here.

Looking for a summer reading that will help you grow closer to God and learn more about God's design for work and rest? Find out more about the Doing Busy Better book by clicking the image.

“Then Balak said to Balaam, ‘Come, let me take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them for me from there.’” Numbers 23:27 NIV

Point-of-view. A lesson straight from literature class. To teach our students this concept, we ask them to imagine a familiar story being told from a different character’s perspective. It’s fun for them to imagine how the events and story line will change based on who's telling the story.

Sometimes I expect God to change His point-of-view in my life, too.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve caught myself bargaining with God, expecting Him to change His mind based on my convincing testimony.

“God, if you look at it this way, I’m sure you will see that this is the best decision for me right now.”

“But God, if this doesn’t happen, what am I going to do?”

Thankfully, we're not alone in this struggle to convince God to change His mind. In Numbers 23, Balak, the king of the Moabites, was afraid of the Israelites. To take care of the threat, he employed the services of Balaam, the sorcerer. Balak wanted Balaam to curse Israel.

After Balaam spoke his first message of blessing over Israel instead of a curse, Balak thought if Balaam saw the Israelites from a different vantage point, God’s message would change.

“Come with me to another place where you can see them; you will not see them all but only the outskirts of their camp. And from there, curse them for me.” Numbers 23:13 NIV

It didn’t change a thing. Balaam responded with another blessing over Israel.

“I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it.” Num. 23:20

Then if that wasn’t enough, Balak took him to yet another location!

“Then Balak said to Balaam, ‘Come, let me take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them for me from there.’” Num. 23:27 NIV

But true to his word, God never changes.

“How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel!” Num. 24:5

Now before we condemn Balak, let’s remember how often we do the same thing. We present our requests to the One who cares most for us and knows what’s best. But how do we respond when the answer in no? Or worse, when the answer is silence?

Let’s learn from Balak’s misjudgment today.

No matter how you look at it, God's plan prevails. Always.

I may be able to teach my students about the many different points-of-view in literature, but God only has one point-of-view. His is solid, steadfast, and right.

God sees everything, and His perspective never changes.

Blessings,

Kristine