GET BACK TO YOUR LABOR

Have you ever worked for an unreasonable employer? One that is adding project upon project before one is even finished. Maybe they set the standard so high that they really aren’t expecting anyone to meet it.

They don’t believe in days off until a project is complete, but that project could go on for a year. 

Maybe you are the type of worker who doesn’t want to take time off. Maybe you enjoy your job so much it isn’t considered work. I loved pet sitting, and I never really considered myself “working”. I did need time to spend with my family and my own dog, so I would schedule accordingly. 

I liked to go to church, so I would make sure I had that time off from work.

I remember working at one of the chain drug stores when I was a practicing pharmacist. We would complete our evaluation, then meet with the district manager to go over where we thought we stood. They would give us a score, and depending on the score, we would get a raise. I liked when they would show me the stats so I could better gauge where I was and where I could improve. The problem with going by stats alone is that it never shows the whole picture. I had a manager actually confide in me and let me know the evaluation was set up so no one could ever reach 100%.

Okay, I thought, no one is ever perfect, especially those in the medical field, so I accepted his statement. I was considered a “doer”. Not necessarily a thinker. Some of you can relate. Just give me the task, and I will get it done. Employers love people like me.

I hate to see people just standing around when they have a job to do or are involved in an activity.

Let’s take the gym, for instance. When I was younger, I did a lot of aerobic activity and even some weight lifting. I was used to moving quickly between sets, and I ran. In my mind, I was supposed to be moving the whole time I was at the gym.

I joined a CrossFit group; they moved fast but also stood around a lot. It took me a year to understand why. They appeared idle, but what was going on inside their bodies was not idle. The 30 seconds, even a minute of “idleness,” was preparing them to recover enough to keep going and accomplish more than they would have without the “rest”. 

Some people think sitting quietly with the Lord is a waste of time and keeps a person from accomplishing much. This is the farthest thing from the truth. In Exodus 5 (read the chapter for full details), this is a great picture of someone who doesn't understand how important it is to take the time to meet with God.

Then the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people from their work? Get back to your labor.” And Pharaoh said, “Look, the people of the land are many now, and you make them rest from their labor!”

All work and no worship. Pharaoh believed meeting with God was idle activity. The officers of the children of Israel did come and talk to Pharaoh asking why he was dealing with his servants in such a harsh way. 

But he said you are idle! Idle! Saying you want to go and sacrifice to the Lord. 

The work was now harder on them and took away the materials they needed to meet their quota, forcing them to seek out the raw materials.

A quick example would be a painter. They are hired to paint, and they go get the paint and continue their job. Now they have to go make the paint, adding time and labor, but are expected to get as many buildings painted in the same amount of time. It’s not reasonable.

All Moses and Aaron did was what God asked them to do. Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.” 

Many businesses used to be closed on Sundays. This gave everyone a day off at the same time. People could choose how they spent that day. Some didn’t understand the benefits of gathering with God’s people. Pharaoh didn’t understand. In his eyes, it was an idle activity.

He even stated, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.”

Rest is good, allowing one to meet with God. What God requested brought unrest to His people, and the leaders, Moses and Aaron, were blamed, thinking they might get killed. “And they said to them, 'Let the Lord look on you and judge because you have made us abhorrent in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us?

Moses did question God on why, when he did what God asked, it made it worse for God’s people.

I am able to learn several things from this short chapter in Exodus.

First, that when God calls someone to leadership, what they think will happen may not happen right away. It’s okay to ask God why. The important thing is to be obedient and trust God’s outcome, as He always has a plan and purpose. I shouldn’t blame leadership that is truly from God for God’s outcome or give them the praise that belongs to God alone (If you keep reading the next few chapters in Exodus, this is spoken of).

Second, I need to take time from work, yes, even volunteer work, to gather with God's people. When I am working, I am to be a good worker, and when I have concerns, go to the manager and voice them. 

Third, meeting with the Lord is not an “idle” activity. There is so much going on internally. Not only is it important to meet with God’s people, but also to meet one-on-one in “the wilderness” of this life. 

Fourth, those who don’t know the Lord won’t understand the importance of meeting with God and how much it can accomplish.

Fifth, rest is so important. How I rest matters. Who I rest with matters. I don’t want anything to hold me captive, but I ask to be set free to worship and attend the feast God has for me.

Do you have any takeaways?

I’m here to help people with whole health. To have balance in mind, body, and spirit brings much healing.

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