As I ran the Appalachian Trail section of the JFK 50 I followed the simple formula of run the downhills and flat (not that any of it is flat) and walk the uphills. The idea is that you want to rest your body enough on the uphills so you can maintain good forward momentum for the whole race.
As we dropped off the Appalachian Trail around mile 16 the rest of the race is relatively flat so at that point it was time to use a new run/rest system. I decided, for no good reason, to go with a 6:1 ratio of running to walking. I figured that walking every seventh minute would allow me enough recovery time to keep on pushing forward. I have to confess that there were times during the race that I took significantly longer breaks, I considered them my "jubilee" times!
One of the keys for success in an ultra-marathon is taking the necessary breaks that will allow your body to recover enough to keep the forward momentum going. The same is true in life. There is good reason that in God's top ten things that concern him resting is number four on that list.
Learning to take a Sabbath break, a time of stopping serves a number of purposes. One it allows you to rest from your work and undergo some recreation. Two it reminds you that you are not in charge, the world will get along just fine without you for 24 hours. Three it reminds you that God is ultimately in charge and gives you time to worship. Four, it is the best antidote to chronic busyness. Five, it requires surrender, we surrender our agendas, to-do lists and needs to God.
You will not run the race of life well without proper times of Sabbath.
