Not all “downtime” is created equal. It’s easy to collapse on the couch after a long day and scroll mindlessly through our phones for an hour. But do we feel rested afterward, or just numb? There is a crucial difference between activities that truly recharge us and those that merely distract us.
“…but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
This verse promises a renewal of strength that comes from “waiting for the Lord.” This is an active, hopeful waiting, not a passive boredom. True, soul-level recharging connects us with God, with creation, with our loved ones, or with the creative spark inside us. Distraction, on the other hand, often disconnects us from all of those things. It numbs our exhaustion but doesn’t heal it. True renewal gives us strength to “run and not be weary.” Numbing distraction leaves us feeling just as tired as when we started.
Action Steps:
Prayer:
Lord, give me the wisdom to know how to truly rest. Show me the difference between numbing distraction and life-giving restoration. Help me to choose activities that renew my strength and draw me closer to You. Amen.