Taking time out in the midst of a busy life is always helpful.

The importance of taking regular breaks is recognized in the work-a-day world with the provision of time to take a few minutes break mid morning or afternoon or both. It is also important for the mum or dad at home to have a few minutes to themselves, perhaps while the baby is taking a nap or the young child watching an appropriate dvd. To find some personal space for a moment of catch up.

Jesus often drew his disciples aside to be alone with him. Mark tells us of one such occasion.

   The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and what they had taught. Then Jesus said, "Let's get away from the crowds and rest awhile." There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his disciples didn't even have time to eat. They left by boat for a quieter spot. (Mark 6:30-31)

Taking time out gives us time to reflect on where we are in life at the moment and the direction in which we are heading. Time to make a course adjustment, to renew our commitment to the Lord, to recapture the vision, to reset the sails.

I'm reminded of a time in my life when I was ready to give up. As members of Wycliffe Bible Translators, my wife and I were living in a village at Oro Bay in Papua New Guinea. We were about half way through the translation of the New Testament for the 12,000 Ewage speaking people. It was tough going. I was ready to give up, pull in the sails and go home. But I took a 'coffee break.' Turning to the Scriptures I came across this statement by someone who sounded as though he too had been ready to give up but kept right on sailing. I took his words on board.

   So do not throw away your confidence. It will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." *
   But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. (Hebrews 10:35-39)

In doing some research I learned something about the word translated in the above statement as 'shrink back.' In the original writings of the New Testament, it is the Greek word ύποστελλω, [hupostellō] meaning 'to draw in, let down, draw back.' And then I was fascinated to discover that the word was a nautical term used by sailors when pulling in the sails at the end of a voyage. Our writer was not one to 'shrink back,' not one who let down the sails. And so I was encouraged as I read this section of the Scriptures to hoist the sails of faith up high to catch the wind of the Holy Spirit, and keep right on sailing.    

Take some time out each day. Let me share a coffee break with you. Choose a topic from the menu below.

^{* Habakkuk 2:3-4}