when i was in high school i was way into running...the mile in particular. i ran all the time, and had an amazing coach that did an incredible job at really drawing out the potential in the guys he coached.
he worked us hard...really hard. i remember running 8-10 miles a day during the week and then 14 miles on saturday during our peak conditioning for cross country. it was tough. but then there were strategic days, and moments where we would rest...when we would intentionally not run...so that we could race better.
coach b used to tell us that our ability to rest well was as important as our ability to train well.
last night i was reminded of this as we had a time of worship and rest with my worship team. these guys work their butts off. we don't have multiple teams right now at our church...so most of my guys play every week...and rehearse every week. after a while i start to feel the burn of this, and i know they do to...so we stopped...for a moment.
admittedly i planned our time of worship mainly for myself. i needed to breath a bit...and sensed that it would have some value for my team. so for about 30 minutes before our normal rehearsal time we were silent...i made a playlist of some great worship tunes...no one played an instrument. we just prayed and worshipped together. it was so great. about midway through our time i got up and served communion to each of our team members and we were reminded of the great sacrifice that our Saviour made for us.
i was so refreshed after that time...even as short as it was. i asked some of my guys if it was some thing that was valuable to them, and their response was so immediate, saying things like, "that was so necessary for me rignt now!"
i was so challenged and reminded as a leader that i have a huge responsibility to care for the spiritual well being of the folks that i am leading. its ok to run hard...i think its important to run hard...but its just as important to stop and breath deeply...and rest...and just worship.