Is loafing good or bad? It depends. Loafing means “to spend one’s time in an aimless, idle way. Doing nothing useful”. One would think that if you are tired that the only way to rest will be just to loaf. And in moderate quantities, loafing is OK – I call it just being brain dead or rotting. But many times you can rest without doing nothing. 

This article is about rest and restoration. Our body, brain and spirit need to be recharged after being exhausted physically and psychologically. Then we will be ready again to take on life with renewed energy. Where rest is to stop doing what your busy with, restoration is to start doing something else that will return you to your former condition – to rebuild that which was neglected or depleted.

During resting you give yourself a break from your hourly, daily, weekly and yearly routine to restore your energy and focus. With renewed energy and focus you will be able to do your work much more efficiently and be less likely to waste your own time and the time of those who are depending on your work. 

But so many people were coming and going that Jesus and the apostles did not even have a chance to eat. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go to a place where we can be alone and get some rest.”

Mark 6:31 CEV

I am someone who does not like to give up on a task. So if I get to the end of the day and the task, for some or other reason, is not yet done, I force myself to continue. To finish tasks is a good thing but by the end of the day I do not have the same energy levels I started off with. Forcing myself to complete the task, before going to bed, many times makes me work less efficiently and making more mistakes. I have learnt that when I realise this is happening, I have to call it a day, rest and rather start the next day earlier. Then I am fresh and can usually complete the task in a much shorter time. This also spares me the frustration of having to work until late the previous evening and perhaps not even completing the task.

After a week’s worth of work, you have to rest. You must, at least, rest one day in the week. This has been true since biblical times and still is. Traditionally, Christians do this on Sundays.

By the seventh day God had finished his work, and so he rested. God blessed the seventh day and made it special, because on that day he rested from his work.

Genesis 2:2‭-‬3 CEV

Work for six days and rest on the seventh day, even during the seasons for plowing and harvesting.

Exodus 34:21 CEV

This does not imply that you should sleep the whole Sunday. Jesus spent many sabbaths to fix/restore things including sickness and hunger. Use the day to break away from your weekly work routine and do something else useful. Something that could be focused to help or serve others, while at the same time your own spirit is indirectly restored.

Also, during the year, go for regular break-away weekends or holidays. Escaping from your home, even if it is just for one night, does wonders to restore you. Have you noticed how many times you have returned from such a trip and are suddenly inspired to rearrange all your furniture or tools or start a new project? You can also consider going on a spiritual retreat during which you can refocus your life on God’s will and purpose for you.

If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 CEV

Rest and restoration leads to improved health. That is why medical funds incentivize you to go to the movies or do activities that will relax you. It is because they know they will save money eventually. 

So take off some time to rest and restore yourself when tired. Sometimes doing more than just sleeping or watching TV can be more beneficial to both yourself and others.