Exodus 23:12 (NLT)
12 “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working. This gives your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It also allows your slaves and the foreigners living among you to be refreshed.”

What do donkeys, ox, and slaves have to do with us today? Probably not much unless you have teenagers who are as stubborn as donkeys and ox. However…. It’s been pretty well proven that we need balance and down time. We need to stop and recharge our batteries unless we just want to be burned up and burned out. What is worth that? For all we chase in the world to make our life better with material things, what good is it if we don’t take time to enjoy it?

Better yet, what about the things in life that are greater than the material things? What about your husband/wife? Children? Parents (before they aren’t around to enjoy any longer)? Down time means spending time with them. Really spending time with them. Spending time connecting at a deeper level, not just running your kids hither and yon keeping them busy, not just idle chatter with your folks. Not just comfortable platitudes with your spouse. Really getting to know them.

Titus 1:15-16 (NLT)
15 Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.

So says God and we might want to listen. Some say they don’t need God, or that there is no God. Good luck when you find out there is one.

Matthew 10:8 (NLT)
8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!”

No small miracles when Christ sent out his disciples. Nope. We’re expected to do the same today. Heal the sick and we’re getting better at it all the time. Cure leprosy – check. Cast out demons and raise the dead?

Let’s put it in context – these were miracles and were designed to impress I think. I also think it’s a calling to us to consider why we do these things, so let’s consider why we do things. Let’s consider Christ’s lessons on how to live life the way God designed it. Let’s consider if we wouldn’t be better off living within the boundaries God has set for us. Let’s consider if we wouldn’t be better off living the life Christ calls us to. Let’s consider if Christ’s why isn’t better than the worlds why.