Downtime

“…. and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. He shall build a house for My name” 1 Chronicles 22:9b-10a NASB

            How well do you utilize your “downtime”, the time set aside from your normal daily grind and activities? God has given us an example in the story of creation in the book of Genesis. God rested on the seventh day from all His work (Genesis 2:2-3). A day of rest is established for us because we need it. No matter the urgency or importance of our jobs or responsibilities, we cannot continue to function 24/7 without breaking down. God in His ultimate wisdom and love for us knew that, therefore the example for us to rest.   

            That being said, after we have rested and refocused, do we use the time God has given us in pursuit of a work He has for us to do? There are some projects we simply cannot do during our normal work days. When given the opportunity from God, do we work the work He has for us, or do we spend the extra time on ourselves?

            King Solomon had such an opportunity from God. During his reign as king, Israel had peace from the wars his father King David had all of his life. It was in David’s heart to build the Temple for the Lord, but the Lord said it was not to be. David’s son, Solomon, would build it. Solomon obeyed and followed the Lord’s instructions in building the Temple. Solomon wisely used the “downtime” for the work of the Lord. He did not put it on the back burner or use the time for himself.

            Whether it is only our day off or a relatively quiet time in our lives, let us look to what God wants to accomplish through us during the opportunities He has given us in our downtime.