I heard a sermon a few years ago by Presiding Elder Jane E. Thomas of the Fort Valley Savanah District (6th Episcopal District). The sermon still resonates with me today, mainly because of the focus of the sermonic discourse title, “No Days Off.” It could be said that Jesus took no days off, although he found time to rest and retreat.
The world is moving at an extremely fast pace, business and tiredness seem to be the order of the day and there is extraordinarily little time for sleep, family, worship, or even God. Please know, our busyness does not mean we are productive or effective in ministry content. Have we been duped to believe staying busy with the church’s affairs in your life is a ministry in God’s presence? I contend it simply means we may have too many things to do or too much on our plates.
How do we prioritize, and what does the day call for in the will of God? I suggest during this time that we take a personal day of reflection with rest from our labors, realign our focus, adjust our personal goal-making, and most importantly, take time to hear from God. If the world cannot do without you for one day, there’s a major problem. Though each of us are indispensable, we are not irreplaceable. I encourage you to be intentional and find time to reset, refresh and recharge wisely.
The journey is long. This is not a sprint. It’s not even a mile or two. Indeed, life is a marathon, and mini breaks should be taken. For Christians, the breaks must not be months and years but planned intervals so we can continue the work and advance the Reign of God. The effect of the pandemic is still among us. Although people attend other gathering places, churches are still an admonitory area for many. Have we taken so many days off that the church is not effective in sharing the Gospel as it needs to be?
To live out the quadrennial theme during this Annual Conference season to BE BOLD: Face Now-Embrace Next-See New, our attitude must reflect “No Days Off.” We cannot afford to take days off. We must work while it’s day, for when night comes no one can work.
We are The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church recognizing the importance of Christ in our daily lives.
Dr. Leon C. Moore, Jr.
General Secretary of Evangelism and Missions
Anderson Chapel CME, Holly Springs, MS
