I. Is it imperative that a minister should take time out for rest and relaxation?
"Proper periods of sleep and rest and an abundance of physical exercise are essential to health of body and mind. To rob nature of her hours for rest and recuperation by allowing one man to do the work of four, or of three, or even of two, will result in irreparable loss." —Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 247.
"Ministers have all that they ought to do to preach the word. . . . After their labored effort they need rest."—Ibid., vol. I, p. 472.
"Those who are engaged in constant mental labor, whether in studying or preaching, need rest and change."—Gospel Workers, p. 240.
"We are not to keep ourselves under such a strain that our physical and mental powers shall be exhausted."—Evangelism, p. 660.
II. With regard to rest and relaxation, what admonition does Jesus give?"When the apostles returned from their first missionary journey, the Saviour's command to them was, 'Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile.' They had been putting their whole souls into labor for the people, and this was exhausting their physical and mental strength. It was their duty to rest.
"Christ's words of compassion are spoken to His workers to-day just as surely as to His disciples. . . . It is not wise to be always under the strain of work and excitement, even in ministering to men's spiritual needs; for in this way personal piety is neglected, and the powers of mind and soul and body are overtaxed. . . . God would have all study the laws of health, and use reason when working for Him, that the life which He has given may be preserved."—Gospel Workers, p. 243.
"To His toil-worn workers to-day as really as to His first disciples He speaks these words of compassion, 'Come ye yourselves apart . . . and rest awhile.' "—Ministry of Healing, p. 58.
III. What are the dangers confronting the minister if he fails to take time for rest and relaxation?"Your Sunday night meetings are a heavy strain on you, for you allow yourself to become wrought up to a high tension. . . .
"The tremendous efforts you make in preparing for your meetings do not accomplish the work that is most needed. . . .
"Thus saith the Lord, 'You must guard against becoming wrought up to a high tension in preparing to speak to the people.' "—Evangelism, p. 658.
"We have a vigilant foe, . . . ready to take advantage of every weakness that would help to make his temptations effective. When the mind is overstrained and the body enfeebled, he presses upon the soul his fiercest temptations. Let the laborer carefully husband his strength, and when wearied. . . turn aside and commune with Jesus."—Ibid., p. 660.
IV. What are some of the benefits that a minister receives by taking time for rest and relaxation?"When a laborer has been under a heavy pressure of care and anxiety, and is overworked in both body and mind, he should turn aside and rest awhile, . . . that he may be better prepared for future duties."—Evangelism, p. 659.
"And from time to time, fresh supplies of things new and old need to be brought forth from the storehouse of God's word. This will impart life and power to the hearers. God does not want you to become so exhausted that your efforts have no freshness of life."—Gospel Workers, p. 239.
"Let no one labor to the point of exhaustion, thereby disqualifying himself for future effort. Do not try to crowd into one day the work of two. At the end, those who work carefully and wisely will be found to have accomplished as much as those who so expend their physical and mental strength that they have no deposit from which to draw in time of need."—Ibid., p. 244.
"You should labor with care and observe periods of rest. By so doing you will retain your physical and mental vigor, and render your labor much more efficient."—Testimonies, vol. I, p. 622.
"'Come ye yourselves apart,' He bids us. If we would give heed to His word, we should be stronger and more useful."—The Desire of Ages, p. 363.
V. What example did Jesus and His disciples give us as to how these periods of rest and relaxation should be spent?"The rest which Christ and His disciples took was not self-indulgent rest. The time they spent in retirement was not devoted to pleasure seeking. They talked together regarding the work of God, and the possibility of bringing greater efficiency to the work. . . . He corrected their errors, and made plain to them the right way of approaching the people. He opened more fully to them the precious treasures of divine truth. They were -vitalized by divine power, and inspired with hope and courage."—Ibid., p. 361.
VI. Where are true rest and relaxation found?
"Let us turn from the dusty, heated thoroughfares of life to rest in the shadow of Christ's love. Here we gain strength for conflict. Here we learn how to lessen toil and worry, and how to speak and sing to the praise of God. Let the weary and the heavy-laden learn from Christ the lesson of quiet trust."—Counsels on Health, pp. 251, 252.
VII. How do we enter into that rest?
"We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. . . . Here alone can true rest be found. And this is the effectual preparation for all who labor for God. Amid the hurrying throng, and the strain of life's intense activities, the soul that is thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace. The life will breathe out fragrance, and will reveal a divine power that will reach men's hearts."—The Desire of Ages, p. 363.
