Johnhwilburn.com

In 2021 when I came to the States for a medical-furlough getting cataract surgery on both eyes (the left one was especially bad) I was in pretty bad shape.

• Physically I was worn down because my body was trying to compensate for poor vision
• Emotionally I was frustrated since the cataracts kept me from doing things
• Spiritually I was pretty drained from ministering while my eyes were not their best

So before the physical healing took place, a time of emotional rest was necessary.

For the week before my first eye surgery I spent a ton of time resting. That doesn’t mean sleep (though I did nap a lot). Instead there wasn’t any ministry to accomplish. My time was filled with walks, spendign time with my parents, reading (from a kindle with MASSIVE letters), studying Scripture, and praying.

You probably don’t have a severe cataract like me friends….

but just like me life can beat you up

And you need a season of rest.

Rest of course fits with God’s resting on the Sabbath day, and our setting apart Sunday to worship the Lord. God of course didn’t need to rest! But He was showing us there must be a balance to life…..a balance of work and rest.

part of me wishes I had paid more attention to that balance before my cataracts forced me to do it!!

The medical furlough taught me it’s not a sin to work hard. But that work must be partnered with seasons of rest and worship.