The Holy Habit of Rest

I am probably the worst person on the planet to be writing a blog about rest. In fact, Martha and I together are probably the worst people on the planet to write a blog about rest. Resting is not something that comes naturally to us. And I’m not talking about rest that comes between 10 PM and 6 AM. I’m talking about rest where your eyes are open, but you’re not moving or doing something. Martha and I really struggle in this area. We figure if we’re not doing something, we’re being lazy. But as we’ve gotten older, now into our mid-fifties, we realize that rest is something that we need.

Not just for our bodies or health, but for our minds and souls.

What rest looks like for you may be different from what it looks like for me, but it starts with a whole bunch of intentionality no matter what it looks like! Quality rest doesn’t often occur spontaneously, especially in today’s connected and busy world.

This summer Martha and I have a new plan: resting. We plan on having days where all we do is read a book. We plan on having a weeklong vacation where all we do is just explore. We plan on taking Sundays and making sure that no projects are going on around the house. We plan on taking our work and putting it aside to rest and hear the voice of the Lord on what’s next for iWork4Him.

Now, I’ve read many books about rest over the years, but none of them is better than the Bible. From the very beginning, as soon as God finished creating the entire universe, He took a day of rest. In fact, on their first full day on the planet, Adam and Eve had a day of rest! God put such a high priority on rest that He made Adam and Eve experience it before giving them work.

Is rest a priority in your life or an afterthought?

I want to invite you to join Martha and me this summer in making rest an intentional part of your walk with Jesus. Oh, and on a side note, when you’re well rested, you’ll also hear the voice of the Lord more easily and can respond more quickly when he has an assignment for you! So in a way, rest is a critical part of staying on mission!

- Jim

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

Keeping it Simple

Are you stressed?  Are financial pressures causing you to eat too much?  After watching the evening news do you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders?  When you look at your calendar of video meetings, are you burdened by the unending tasks?  Maybe it’s the uncertainty of the future that keeps you up at night.

Jesus Said in Matthew 11:28-30

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

The yoke is a farm tool used to join animals together to pull an implement. If paired well, the animals can work well together.  The yoke is a workplace tool in scripture and it still is today.  Jesus is giving us a picture of walking side by side in a yoke with him.  He is willing to bear the burden with us. His ultimate goal is rest for our weary souls.

Jesus did not intend for us to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. He intended to bear the entire weight of sin on his shoulders and then walk through life with us, aiding us in dealing with our burdens. We never have to carry about burdens alone, his yoke is easy to bear and the burden He gives us is light. 

So keep it simple. Rest. Breathe Deep the breathe of God and realize that when we approach work from an earthly perspective, we run out of steam and are harried and stressed. When we work from a heavenly perspective, we work from a platform of victory and with the realization that our Savior wants to walk with us in our work.  Listen to His voice and remember His words

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Jim

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

When you just want to quit!

Have you ever had such a bad day at work, that you just want to quit your job and walk out? You know, just pack up your stuff and leave? What is the root of that kind of frustration? I really think it’s a misunderstanding of our true role at work. So many of us grew up in households, churches or communities where we were told that true ministry work is done within the four walls of the church or overseas in some foreign country. It wasn’t until I was 40 years old that I finally understood that my workplace was my place of ministry. Well if that’s the case, then quitting my job, means quitting my ministry. 

I think it boils down to realizing that you are called to your work. The people that you work with and the job that you do – none of that is by chance. The people that you work with need to meet Jesus and you may be their only chance.  You have been placed at your workplace by God. It is your primary place of ministry outside of your home.  You spend more time there than any other place than home.

Step back and think about it. Why is it you want to quit? Is it deep frustration or a problem with a co-worker or boss?  Is it an unsafe or harassing workplace?  If it is, then it may be time to find another job if you aren’t able to impact the culture.  But what if it is a relationship issue or  boredom with a job?  When we look at our workplace as ” just a job”, then we fail to see the significance of our work. We fail to see the significance of God placing us among a bunch of His image bearers that don’t know Him yet. He chose you to impact those people with your relationship, your excellence of work and your faith story.  If you quit, who is going to pick up that job when you leave.

There is no question that we will change jobs and sometimes we need to quit an unhealthy place but how we change jobs and how we quit, that can make a big difference, too. Burning and blowing up the bridges could cause someone to have toxic feelings towards Christianity. We can’t take that chance.

So, if you feel like quitting your job, remember, you were placed there just like Paul the apostle was placed on that prisoner ship to Rome. On purpose, on time. God wants to partner with you in your work. Why? Because it is your place of ministry.

Check out the iWork4Him Nation Covenant. It outlines the steps to turning your workplace mindset into one that is a ministry mindset. You are needed. You are important. You are loved. You are there on purpose, for a purpose. 

Jim

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

Share Each Other's Burdens

Who came up with the notion that we can turn on and off our problems when we arrive at work? 

Our problems are not connected to a switch that can just be turned off and on at will.  In fact, quite the opposite.  Sometimes our issues surface when we least expect them to. 

“For every problem a small company leader knows about, that is only 20% of what is happening in their workforce. There are some employees that will simply not share a sensitive personal issue.” 

So said Jason Brown, CMO @ Marketplace Chaplains, during an interview with Jim and Martha.

It used to be that absenteeism was a problem in the workplace. But today, it’s the opposite: It’s called “Presenteeism”.  Employees are showing up, but not actually fully mentally present and focused on their work. Their worries, concerns about children, aging parents, marriage, or finances, are taking over their ability to concentrate. Per a Forbes study in 2018, it’s costing U.S. companies $150 billion dollars a year. A company’s leadership cannot spend all day ministering to their employees, nor can the HR department. So, what’s the answer? One answer is to look at adding a corporate chaplaincy to your workplace. Their only focus is to confidentially listen, support and walk alongside the staff. 

When our burdens are shared and heard, our load is lightened. We are then able to think and focus on the task at hand. Just as Galatians 6:2 encourages us:

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Will you start sharing today?

Jim and Martha Brangenberg