L is for Leisure

Leisure refers to the free time that we can spend our own way, not working but instead resting, relaxing and enjoying life. 

Proverbs 16:20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

Listening to the Holy Spirits instruction for your day to day life should put things in order - eventually. 
There are times in our life, especially when we are young, that we need to work overtime. We manage a lot of learning. All of us have to earn our keep and work our way to a position where money increases and free time also increases. 

Leisure comes with hard work and planning. I did what Proverbs 16:20 said to do and worked my way into living a debt free life. I make my own schedule because I paid my dues and worked hard in building a good life for my family and for myself. 

Wether you can plan to have 2 hours of leisure a week or two days of leisure, it will serve you well to plan for it. 

Trust the Lord that you can make some time to relax. 

Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

As this proverbs says - A cheerful heart is good medicine. My renewal system has helped me to maintain a cheerful heart. 
Getting more than enough sleep, good exercise, healthy nutrition, keeping my mind sharp with continues education, working smarter, going on adventures and planning out some time for leisure is a recipe for a cheerful heart. 

Live an organized life and watch the stress fade away. 

Matthew 6:25-27 Do not worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 
Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

Hang around a young person and it is likely that you will see that they worry about a lot of things and have a difficult time because they dwell on the things they worry about. Hang around an older person and it is likely that you will see that they do not worry about things and can manage their thoughts better. 

So why wait till you are old! Learn from Jesus and be get it together. 
Lean on scriptures like this when you find yourself worrying about stuff. Do not let the cares of everyday life rob you of the blessing of some leisure time. 

Use a calendar or daily planner and book yourself some leisure time. Plan for it so that when something or someone attempts to take your time you can protect it. 
At the end of your leisure time take a moment and thank God for the life He has given you. Ask Him to help you to manage it well. 

​Love, Pastor Max