For over a decade in the 60’s and 70’s, Al McGuire was head coach at Marquette University, even leading them to a National Championship. He was asked once how he survived the pressure. He noted that he lived west of Milwaukee and that he took the same highway to the office every day. At one point, he reached a decision: he could continue east back to the pressure of his job or go north to the shores of Lake Michigan. “At least once a month, I take the road north,” he noted.

That is a great lesson for those of us in high-pressure situations. Sometimes we need to make a conscious decision to take an unscheduled day away. Maybe it is spending a day at the lake or just hiking in a park. Take your Bible and find rest and renewal with Your Savior.

Your relationship with Him should always be your highest priority. Sometimes we need to step away to renew that connection.

What is “the road north” for you? How and when do you carve out time for rest and renewal? If you’d like someone to help you talk through and process this, the Texas District has coaches and counselors who are equipped and ready to help you work through it. The Texas District Care and Coaching Team and the Texas District Hispanic Pastoral Care Team are available, as is a counselor, Rev. Jim Otte.

By Tom Couser