A few months ago I decided to take some time off from leading worship for main services at Calvary Chapel Boise. My schedule was so hectic I was struggling to throw together practices and setlists, finish my work, spend time with family, and somewhere in there I realized there was too much. I couldn’t do it all.

When the time came to make the schedule for worship at CCBoise I decided to take some time. I kept my smaller dates, mid-week services, small churches, etc. but gave up my slot on the weekend roster.

I wanted to rediscover the joy. Worship has been part of my life for so long it was hard to imagine not leading the congregation. And it was, and still is, hard to sit in the congregation and worship. Which is probably the best reason I have that this was the right decision.

Since that decision, I’ve sung with a few lovely people and been able to enjoy life a little more. I’ve started thinking about my CD project again. And now the thoughts are excited, not thinking, “This is just one more thing.”

I suppose it can be thought of as a Sabbath, considering I haven’t taken a real, intentional break in years. And it reminds me of a sermon Tom Velasco gave once about the subject. He stated that God knew us so well, He knew we would kill ourselves with work if we weren’t given a mandate from heaven to rest.

The importance of rest cannot be underestimated.

Some day in the future I’ll be back to weekends at CCBoise again. Until then I’m resting in the Lord and remembering why I do what I do.

-Melissa