The Off-Season

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. (Hebrews 4:9-10 NIV)

As a sports fan, the off-season is a tough time. Unless you are a fan of the championship team, your season likely ended in disappointment. There are no games to watch. And next season seems too far away. So why do we even take such long breaks between seasons?

I’m sure there are monetary and logical reasons to take time off, but the primary reason is simple: rest. Do you want your players to be healthy? Would you like to see them at their best? Then it is essential that they give their bodies time to recover and rebuild to return to prime performance capabilities.

Rest is also essential for our spiritual “performance.” Rest is actually a constant theme of the Bible. Obviously the Sabbath is supposed to be observed as a time of rest and focus. We also see Jesus often retreating from the crowds to spend time in prayer and rest. I mean, if Jesus chooses to rest then we should be justified in the doing the same, right?

In one of his Psalms, David goes so far as to say that God makes us rest because he loves us.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3 NIV)

God “makes me” lie down. That is how important it is to take the time we need to spiritually replenish ourselves. Sometimes we need to step back, close our eyes, and let God refresh us. That will help us maintain focus, stay energetic, and remain open to God’s sometimes-surprising plans for our lives.

Take some time and enjoy your off-season.

– Jamie Boggs

If you would like to submit a reader devotional, please email all submissions to jason@sportsspectrum.com