A MOMENT TO REST

December 16, 2025

Jason Bonnicksen

A MOMENT TO REST

365 DAYS OF THANKSLIVING — DAY 16

Today’s been one of “those” days. You know what I mean, right? It’s not been anything bad; in fact, today was a good, productive day. It was just a go, go, go… go, go, go kind of day; one where ya couldn’t even think about taking a moment to rest. (I guess technically, my day isn’t done, because I still have to finish writing this blog—a 365-day commitment I’m not about to break.)

Of the many things I’ve learned in life, it’s how different our lines of work and industries are. For example, consider what it takes to put food on our tables. You might not think much about this if you’re a city or suburban dweller. That was me for much of my life. I didn’t know (more than the average guy) all that was done to get my 16 oz Ribeye to my table. Alls I knew, is if I wanted Ribeye for supper, then I simply needed to go to my local grocer or butcher and purchase a steak. Fire up the grill, sear that sucker for a 4 minutes per side, let it rest, and walla – you got heaven on a plate. Anywho… I didn’t realize the complexity of the beef industry until I moved to rural Nebraska in 2021. We lived in Harlan County, NE, population 4,000; 574 square miles of farm and grasslands, perfect for grazing cattle. The cattle to human ratio was staggering; roughly 9 to 1; that's 9 cattle for every person. Yowzers.

I could fill pages on all the things I learned regarding what it takes to put food on our tables. Yet, in all that, I still don’t have a clue about all the complexities of both the beef and farming industries. And that’s just two. When my wife starts talking about her day, I just listen, because most of what she says goes right over my head.

That’s probably true with what I do too. Honestly, you’d be bored to tears if I started to blather on about my day. I know I’m rambling; but I guess I’m just trying to say that… well, this day and this week, and this season that we’re quicky approaching, for us pastors, it can be… well, one where we’re glad when we can take a load off our feet.

Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not complaining at all; I truly LOVE what I do and wouldn’t have my life be any other way). Here’s the point I’m trying to make: whether we’re farmers or ranchers, medical folks, or boring ol’ pastors like me, we all need to take a moment to rest. I’m doing that now as I write, and I thank God for this “sabbath time” in my day to do just that.

I may not know what you do for a living; but whatever it is, please take time to put up your feet up and rest from here and again. And as you do, say a small prayer to God, thanking him for moments of rest. Jesus did, and he encouraged his disciples to do the same.

The Gospel According to Mark tells us this: 

“Jesus said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.’ For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.”

Mark 6:31, HCSB

So, join me will ya? Take some time tonight to put up your feet, thanking the Lord while ya doze off to sleep!

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