Taking Time to Rest and Rejuvenate.

 

By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Acts 18:18-23

 

Acts 18:22-23.

When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. ²³ After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

(ESV)

 

Technology like the internet has advantages as it allows one to work or go to school online, eliminating the need to travel from one location to another.  This represents a more efficient use of time but also requires discipline as one learns to work or go to class at home with its distractions.  Parents of young children attending school online can attest to the need for this discipline and the challenge of helping their young children find it.  On the other extreme, working or going to school online can cause one to focus 24-7 on their work and school and not take a break from their work for rest, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.  It is crucial to find a balance between work, education, family, and health in the information age by taking time away from work for rest and rejuvenation. 

 

The Apostle Paul has just experienced persecution in Corinth where he found himself before a tribunal with accusations of “persuading people to worship God contrary to the law (Acts 18:12-13).”  This is a serious accusation that could carry a death sentence and Paul’s execution by to Romans.  Thankfully, for Paul, the proconsul finds no validity in the charges and dismisses Paul from the tribunal (Acts 18:14-16). 

 

After spending many more days with the brothers in Corinth, Paul leaves them and takes Pricilla and Aquila with him as he sets sail for Syria (Acts 18:18).  After arriving in Ephesus, Paul leaves Pricilla and Aquila there and goes into the synagogue to reason with the Jews but leaves after spending only a short time there (Acts 18:19-20).  This is because the Apostle Paul is seeking time for rest and rejuvenation to avoid burning out from ministry.  From this text, we can learn two lessons when it comes to taking time for rest and rejuvenation. 

 

1)      Just do it – The Jews in Ephesus asked Paul to remain with them longer, but Paul declined and instead left for Antioch.  As a man of action when it came to ministry, Paul was most likely tempted to stay with his fellow Jews in Ephesus for ministering to the Jews in the synagogues was a common practice of Paul (Acts 17:2).  However, Paul also knew that even the Lord had to take time off from ministry to commune with His Father (Luke 6:12; 9:18, 28; Mark 6:46).  If Jesus, God in the flesh, took time off to rest and rejuvenate, Paul knew he had too as well.

2)      Have a special place – Antioch was the place from which Paul and Barnabas were sent into ministry and probably had a special meaning for Paul (Acts 13:1).  Paul also knew the disciples in Antioch were eager to hear what God was doing (Acts 14:24-28) and encouraged Paul.  For Jesus, it was not a specific location but any place where he could escape the crowds for quiet time with God the Father in prayer. 

 

The Apostle Paul experienced enormous success during his ministry but also much persecution, especially from his fellow Jews.  The climax of this persecution from his fellow Jews had just occurred in Corinth where the Jews attempted to have Paul executed for inciting people to violate Roman law (Acts 18:12-13).  Paul escapes execution as the proconsul determines Paul has not violated Roman law but is only guilty of questions and names surrounding Jewish law (Acts 18:14-16).  Paul then escapes to Antioch for some much-needed rest and rejuvenation, preparing him for what lies ahead. 

 

In whatever calling God has for his people, they must guard against becoming weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9).  The text of Acts 18:18-23 shows us how Paul would return to Antioch, the place his ministry began, for rest and rejuvenation.  Like Paul and Jesus, we all must have a place we go to for rest and rejuvenation and go there as the Lord leads.  If the years 2020 and 2021 have taught us anything, it is that life is full of uncertainty.  God’s people, including those in ministry, must take regular time away from the tasks of ministry to find rest and rejuvenation by communing with God and people that encourage us in ministry.  We must also have a special place and special people we can go to for quiet communion with God and encouragement.  Like a cellphone that we must plug into a charger regularly to keep it from going dead, we must regularly plug into the charger of Prayer to God, studying God’s Word, and receiving encouragement from other brothers and sisters in the Lord.  May God bless everyone reading this post.