3. The need for variety
This is implicit in the previous principle but ought to be stated separately. The world says, 'Variety
is the spice of life'. More accurately, the Lord has so made us that we need variety, rhythm, pattern
in our lives. This is one of the points made in Ecclesiastes 3 and Proverbs 25:27, for example.
In a
magazine article, Richard Chester says, 'My experience has been that it is not so much the amount
of activity that causes tiredness, but rather that it is the lack of variety that causes staleness.' (10) 'The
devoted servant of God will find a measure of relaxation in turning from the more painful to the
more soothing exercises of his work', says Bridges. Dr D. M. Lloyd-Jones makes the same point
with reference to the need for variety in the minister's reading matter. (11) Change can be as good as
a rest.
With these three principles in mind we can proceed to some practical points.
1) A day off
In view of what has been said about the Sabbath, surely every minister should take off at least one
day in the week. It will, of course, have to be a 'moveable feast' but a set day is advisable. Even
Lord's Day Sabbaths are sometimes legitimately lost. If this approach is rejected, a realistic
alternative must be pursued. It can happen 'at any time in large or small doses.' (12)
2) Holidays
In an anonymous article entitled 'The pastor is ill', one minister pleads, 'God's ministers need
holidays. This ... is conveniently overlooked by (those) Christians who seem to be intent on
breaking their pastor's mortal frame in the shortest possible time.' He argues for several breaks a
year and the church's responsibility to make this possible financially. The minister should not have
to preach when he is away to finance the trip.
Some men have simply never learned to say 'no'.
Another pitfall to be avoided is the 'busman's holiday' which is really no holiday at all but yet more
Christian service.
3) Other breaks
The practice of 'swapping pulpits' from time to time is to be encouraged. It has many advantages.
Four or five Sundays a year seems about right. At least one fraternal and one annual conference is
good but too many committees is not. David Kingdon adds a plea for sabbatical leave at regular
intervals, which is the practice in many other countries.
4) Physical exercise
In view of what has been said, physical exercise is a must. It does not have to be jogging! I play
badminton once a week with a colleague and try to find time for a swim. Many play squash.
Jonathan Edwards apparently chopped logs and Flavel would ride on horseback. Charles Simeon
used to walk on the roof of his Cambridge apartments, and John Murray would do the 'Murray mile'
after lunch. Spurgeon loved walking in the woods. An American, Dr Theodore Cuyler, remembered
walking with Spurgeon one day and 'conversing in high spirits'. Suddenly he stopped and said,
'Come, Theodore, let us thank God for laughter.' (13) The place of laughter in relaxation ought not to
be forgotten either.
5) Hobbies
A hobby or another interest can be useful. We need to take care, however. 'All work and no play
makes Jack a dull boy.' But all play and no work makes men mere smatterers. I know of men with
artistic and musical skills who just have to let them rust for fear of their former professions taking
over. Ernest Kevan used to advise his students to read the newspaper standing up so that they
avoided wasting time on it. Some similar procedure needs to be found with other pastimes.
Under
this heading we may mention what Dr Lloyd-Jones has to say about music. He speaks of the
enjoyment he himself derived from music and mentions Karl Barth's fondness for Mozart. 'A
general stimulus' he goes on, '... is often more helpful than a more particular intellectual one. The
man himself is bigger than his intellect ... Anything that does you good, puts you into a good mood
or condition, anything that pleases you or releases tensions and relaxes you is of inestimable
value.' (14)
6) Family life
The situation will vary from person to person and from period to period. But for all of us this will
include some contribution to the household chores (15) and probably some handiwork too. This is
apart from the need at least to acknowledge the existence of others under the same roof from time
to time. Richard Chester is very honest when he writes:
I know that it is my responsibility as a father to spend time with my children. But I have
found it very easy to do this in a legalistic fashion with my mind on other things, so that I
almost begrudge the time spent in this way. Similarly, pastors may be told of their duty to
spend one evening a week sitting with their wife. So they come out of the study armed with
a pile of papers and books and simply change their place of work for one evening! When I
play with my children or relax with my wife, I must do it heartily as to the Lord. (16)
Finally, for any who have neglected such principles let me quote again from David Kingdon's
essay:
Remember the limitations of your bodily strength. If you are thoroughly tired in body (and
therefore in mind as well) do not drive yourself on by sheer will-power. Do not be afraid to
go to your church officers and tell them that you must have a rest from your ministerial
labours. It is better to do this sooner rather than later, before you are prostrated for a
lengthy period. (17)
10 Richard Chester, 'The Christian and his use of Time,' Reformation Today, No. 27, p. 29.
11 D. M. Lloyd-Jones, op. cit., p. 182.
12 Gordon MacDonald, op. cit., p. 187.
13 From Arnold Dallimore, Spurgeon: A New Biography, Banner of Truth Trust, p. 178.
14 D. M. Lloyd-Jones, op. cit., p. 183.
15 Martin Luther says somewhere, 'If the neighbours laugh at me when I hang out the nappies, I do not mind for God and his angels also smile.'
16 Richard Chester, op. cit., p. 30.
17 David Kingdon, op. cit., p. 27.
This is the second part of an article originally published in The Banner of Truth and available here.
This is the second part of an article originally published in The Banner of Truth and available here.
