Recently I finished a study of the OT book of Numbers, which concerns the ordering of a society (Israel) during the Exodus.
Numbers got me thinking about the “ordering” of my own life, which is not optional. I simply cannot fly along by the seat of my pants.
Not that occasional spontaneity is forbidden. Sometimes one drops everything and heads straight to the zoo, with no advance thought.
But I’ve realized that the following order is crucial for my service to God and my personal well-being:
Rest first.
Work second.
Play third.
Rest is the place to meet God and prepare for service. Work is one’s vocational calling and must precede play.
To many people, this order may seem obvious. But here are two temptations:
Work first, then play, skipping rest altogether and returning directly to work.
Or this:
Play first, then cram work into a tight schedule and postpone rest until convenient.
Both sequences are disordered. Rest is often the missing piece.
May I recommend, then, “rest, work, play” as a holy liturgy for living.
