"The Toll of our Toiling"

Most of you may have heard the "big news" that John Piper is taking a 8 month break, ("No sermon preparation or preaching. No blogging. No Twitter. No articles. No reports. No papers. And no speaking engagements."), because, he says, "the precious garden of my home needs tending." You can read his announcement here.

Christianity Today ran a surprisingly admiring article about this development, saying, "Thousands of ministers who have learned from Piper through his books, sermons, and conference talks will now have opportunity to learn from his silence."

The author gives examples of how "an intense work regimen was ingrained in several evangelical leaders of the post-war era." and concludes,

"Evangelical leaders serve out of their personal relationship with Christ, modeling the life of faith for others. Yet it is exceedingly difficult to tend to this most important relationship, not to mention our friends and family, when work consumes every day. To be sure, we're called to toil for Christ, "struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works" within us (Col. 1:29). Even during the busyness of this Lenten season, though, we might follow Piper's example and pause to examine the toll of our toiling and the state of our souls. Does our work truly point others to the power of Christ? If not, it may draw attention to the one who plants and waters, not the God who gives the growth (1 Cor. 3:7). Ministers who lose this perspective are in danger of losing their congregations, not to mention their families.

Instead, let us live up to our belief in the God who holds out the promise of Sabbath rest for his people. If God rested from his works, so can we (Heb. 4:9-10)."