EDITORIAL
Backstage | Jimmy Dodd
John Stott is one of the most influential evangelical figures of the last century. Throughout his life, Stott poured his life into evangelical leaders writing more than 50 books, including his classics Basic Christianity, The Cross of Christ and Christian Mission in the Modern World. Prior to his passing in 2011, I was privileged to have several conversations with Stott, one of which permanently changed my perspective of ministry—and the need for rest.
In the fall of 1982, as a 21-year-old Wheaton College student, I found myself on a three-hour car ride with Stott. Near the end of our journey, I asked him, “Dr. Stott, do you ever feel like just giving up on the Christian life? Do you ever want to just chuck the whole thing and find something else to give your life to?”
Stott’s answer literally changed my life. “Yes, Jimmy, I often feel like giving up on the Christian life. But when I feel this way, I always do the same thing. One, I catch up on my sleep. I find that when I catch up on my sleep, those feelings almost always dissipate. Two, I will do something fun to get away from the daily routine. After I rest and relax, I am ready to enter another busy period of ministry.”
How’s that for deep theology. Get your sleep and have some fun. Those words have burned in my heart for more than 40 years.
Stott’s words reinforced the call to rest found throughout Scripture. Nehemiah 2:11–12a is a favorite:
“I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few men.”
After spending months preparing for the enormous project of rebuilding the walls and gates of Jerusalem, Nehemiah undertakes the three-month, nearly one-thousand-mile journey from Susa to Jerusalem. Travel in ancient Israel was immensely difficult. When he arrives, for the first time in his life his body and heart share the same location. With an enormous task before him, why not get right to work? Why lay low for three days? Stott’s words echo Nehemiah’s actions. The best leaders, if possible, never make a major decision when exhausted. Sometimes, the greatest act of faith is to rest.
Throughout world history, military leaders have made some of the most difficult decisions when exhausted. However, if possible, it is wise to make time to rest, recharge and refresh before making critical decisions. Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem and lays low for three days. He takes a deep breath. What’s he doing? The text doesn’t tell us, but I’m guessing he was resting and recovering from the three-month journey, praying, continuing the planning process and reviewing his strategy. He knew he was physically exhausted from the grueling trip, and his body (and likely his soul) needed to be recharged. Busyness does not equate to spirituality. Nehemiah understood that leaders rest, recharge and refresh, refusing to make major decisions when exhausted.
Practically, never hire or fire when you are exhausted. Never walk out on a relationship when you are exhausted. When you return from an extended trip, schedule a day of rest before jumping back into work. Fatigue clouds perspective. Embrace the God-given rhythms of Sabbath.
Get some rest and have some fun!