“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 22:39
As a Christian, it has been drilled into my head to sacrifice for others. I was raised in a home that taught me to work harder, longer and more excellent than anyone else and to do so humbly without letting anyone know.
These two principles (lessons) in life are a powerful model of how Jesus lived on this earth. I have always thought that the more I sacrifice, the more like Jesus I am and to put my desires or needs as a priority was…well, shall I say…a sin.
Recently this has led to burnout in many areas of my life. I have found myself tired and in need of a retreat…empty while still trying to pour out.
A wise friend told me the other day that he received a new perspective on the verse, “love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mt 22:39) He said that just as you serve other people, it’s important to realize that you need time to care for yourself and if we don’t then we’re not loving others like we love ourselves.
Living in a generation that is consumed with themselves, I have always tried to fight that and go the opposite way. I often think that I must serve more, give more, sacrifice more. However, after hearing this perspective, I am beginning to realize that in order for me to love other people in a healthy way, I have to take care of myself as well.
For each of us, that can look different. For me, self care is time to rest and not be working on something. To take long walks, naps, be outside in nature, travel and many other ways.
I am beginning to realize that it’s not a sin to pull back for self care and that having time for refreshment is also patterning how Christ walked on this earth. There were many times that he withdrew from the crowd to have time alone
My time for refreshing is also a time for me to be silent and let God’s love just wash over me like a replenishing rain.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” Psalm 23:1-3
It’s time to let the Lord lead me to green pastures and quiet waters where he can restore my soul.
