How Should Men Think about Managing Rest and Recreation?

Control Discipline Rest Time Work

How Should Men Think about Managing Rest and Recreation?

Chris Rivers

Description

In season two, episode 17, Chris Rivers and Brad Walbridge, along with Daniel Black, Robert Andrews, and Shawn Piedrahita (staff at Grace Church's Spartanburg campus), tackle the question, “how should men think when it comes to managing rest?” They unpack the role of personality when it comes to managing rest and share practical ways to incorporate rest into our daily lives.

Other Ways to Listen

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STUDY QUESTIONS

Download Episode 17 Study Questions and then share, listen, and discuss in a one on one conversation or with a group of men.

APPLICATION

  • Do you identify more with the tendency to overwork with limited rest or underwork with too much rest? Explain.
  • What activities and interests allow you to feel most at rest? What stirs the creative side of your mind?
  • Do you currently have a consistent rest plan? What does this look like?
  • What are some changes you need to make to your schedule/routine to incorporate additional periods of rest in your life?

KEY POINTS

  • Men are designed by God as creatures with limits. We often try to come up against these limits to see how much we can achieve or accomplish. In reality, however, we all have one resource that is limited: TIME. Our time typically falls into one of four categories: work, recreation, rest, or escape. As men, we have a tendency to pervert the balance of these categories by overworking with limited rest or underworking with too much rest.
  • Daniel, by nature, identified more with overworking. He shared how this plays out in his life by placing too much emphasis on his “to-do” list and judging his day based upon the progress he has made. While this appears admirable on the surface, it is a method of covering insecurities and finding identity/significance in work. In his quest to add periods of rest to his life and not over identify with his work, Daniel began incorporating a 24-hour Sabbath at the end of each week (see details in resources section below).
  • Robert described himself as more of a floater and someone who has to be intentional about how he manages his time. While he works hard during the day, the demands of his work and busy family life often tempt him to move into escape at the end of the day. He has learned how incorporating rest and recreation into his routine builds momentum, restores his soul, and leads to his most creative ideas. Conversely, escapism often leads to emptiness and a lack of energy.
  • Shawn shared about his tendency to overwork without taking needed breaks to rest. For him, this often leads to increased frustration and irritability in his life. While he acknowledged this is constantly evolving, he is learning to create a more consistent rest plan. This involves taking short breaks throughout the day and finding ways to engage the creative side of his mind.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13

RESOURCES

Authentic Manhood Study: https://resources.gracechurchsc.org/teaching/mens-roundtable/authentic-manhood

A Man and His Work Study:

https://resources.gracechurchsc.org/teaching/mens-roundtable/a-man-and-his-work

Celebration of Discipline by: Richard Foster

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CRKXMB7/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Fight Hustle, End Hurry Podcast: John Mark Comer & Jefferson Bethke

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fight-hustle-end-hurry/id1480300467

The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps For Putting Technology In Its Proper Place by: Andy Crouchs

https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=tech+wise+parent&crid=3J4W6DKQ7BB40&sprefix=tech+wise+pare%2Caps%2C108&ref=nb_sb_ss_ab-sx-reranking-v3-desktop_1_14

Practical ideas pertaining to rest:

  • One practical way Daniel combats the tendency to overwork is by establishing a 24-hour Sabbath. This involves shutting down his phone on Friday afternoons, giving it to his wife, and having an extended time to rest/decompress. This small act allows him to be more present with his wife and family, prepares his soul for worship on Sunday, and serves as a reminder that he is not that important.
  • Robert incorporates rest into his daily routine through activities such as reading, sketching, writing, or anything that allows him to “step down” and move into the category of low energy impact.
  • Shawn incorporates short periods of rest throughout the day to intentionally stop and take a break from work. This might involve leaving his office, going outside, playing guitar, playing an active game, etc. He also takes time to read alongside his wife at night, choosing a book that allows him to dive into another world and activate the creative side of his mind.

If you know a man who would benefit from hearing this episode, share it with him. Having intentional conversations around these principles is a great way to disciple and help others move towards Christ.

Have questions or want us to discuss a topic? Email us at: menatgrace@gracechurchsc.org.