Rob and Shini Abraham lead Soul-Care retreats internationally with Sonscape Retreats. They have lived and served with YWAM on 3 different continents and have over 26 years of international experience as missionaries. While including American missionaries serving abroad, Rob and Shini focus much of their efforts on the several often forgotten missionaries that God is raising from Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. Many of these “forgotten missionaries” have little if any support systems, resources, and soul-care training opportunities in their nations. Rob and Shini are based in Colorado where they enjoy the outdoors, hanging out with friends and experiencing as many cultures as possible. y360.org/abrahamssonscape.org
As missionaries, we multiply what we stand for in the fields we serve in. What are we multiplying? Are we multiplying exhaustion, workaholic patterns, driven behavior, maybe even death? Or are we multiplying life, the way our Creator meant for us to live?
We are sons and daughters of the Most High God. We are His beloved. Learning to make rest and renewal a part of our everyday lives is acknowledgement that we are His sons and daughters. Not slaves or servants that are driven by a difficult task-master. God’s heart for us is to be whole and to serve out of wholeness, not to burn out.
May we truly learn to set healthy rhythms for ongoing rest and renewal in the midst of the busy currents of life! And to sit guilt-free sit at the table God sets before us, as His rightful sons and daughters as we understand His heart for us.
Matthew 11:28-29
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Practical Steps to Take:
Ask, “What is rest for me?” Most of us struggle to answer this question but knowing what our specific needs will help us determine how to get the rest we need.
Learn to read your body, to recognize when you are operating in exhaustion and when you’re operating at “optimum mode” (ie. you’re well rested, are thinking clearly, are functioning in healthy ways). And learn to stop when you’re exhausted and to take the time you need to for rest and renewal.
Schedule in times for rest and renewal during the day and week. Protect these times and do not let anything take them away from you. Do not think of these times as “free time.” They are not!
Think of these scheduled times as essential “margins,” in your life.
Establish rhythms for rest and renewal. Go to bed on time and get the sleep you need. Make sure you eat on time. Take time on a regular basis for exercise, outdoor activities, etc. Make time for silence and solitude.
Set aside time for a weekly Sabbath. Not in any legalistic way, but in away that honors God’s intent for the Sabbath.
Talk to your sending agency, church or donor base about rest and renewal being a part of your life and calling. Cast a vision for member-care and help the church to grow in understanding this area that is often ignored or overlooked.
