Take Time To Think And Recharge

“But Jesus would often go away from the crowd to pray in quiet places.” Luke 5:16 EASY

Early on in my career, when I hadn’t quite figured out many things and only had a handful of client projects, I would take Mondays off.

After spending most of my day working in church on Sunday, I felt it was super important to have ample direction for the rest of the week. So Mondays became when I would think, explore ideas and set the direction for the week, without working on client projects.

Looking back, it was a very refreshing season as it really infused some level of rest and confidence into my confused state at the time.

Now, with more responsibilities and expectations, I work on Mondays…hahaha. But instead of just taking one full day to recharge and then blasting off the rest of the week, I have a more consistent morning routine for this purpose.

Some days are peculiar and events would throw my morning routine out the window, but it has become a very intentional act for me to wake up earlier and have some time to study, pray, think and write, at least before my baby wakes up and calls the shots. Sometimes, I cut into my sleep time just so I have this timeout and then make up for it with an afternoon nap or early bedtime.

Ceaseless activity can make your axe blunt. You’ll keep striking the tree wondering why it has refused to fall.

There was a time when I never took the time to think or reflect on anything. I’d be up by 5 am and immediately sit up on my bed, open up my laptop and work endlessly till midnight, only taking breaks when I needed to eat (food only came into the picture when my stomach would “bite” me because of hunger).

Whenever I hear people brag about this type of lifestyle, calling it “hustle”, I have compassion because I know how this can cause a lack of direction, acute confusion, sleep deprivation and constant exhaustion.

I still have periods where I have to work long hours and put food on hold until I need it, but it’s on a need-by-need basis and not a lifestyle.

Time is a limited resource. Taking some of that time, no matter how little, to meditate, pray and gain insight on what the day should bring is a treasure that must never be lost. The goal is to do it daily, but if once or a few times a week is what’s obtainable for you, then be consistent with it.

Jesus separated himself from noise and ceaseless activity very frequently without thinking twice. You should too.