Hurry, Hurry, Hurry...
My dear friend from the Netherlands was here last week. When she comes we fill our days with all kinds of fun adventures including good food, a Broadway show or two, and more than a few walkabouts. This trip was no different.
However, on the day I took off from school to spend with my friend I noticed the two of us were rushing around to get ready for the day as if we had to be somewhere and were running late. I mentioned this to her and said, "why is it we do this?"
We had planned for an easy day--a run to Trader Joe's and Target for treats she can't get in Holland, a movie, and a stop for fries at Bareburger. She shared with me that she does this often, this rushing about to get ready. We added that we both make lists of things we want to remember and to do, so we don't forget or to just get it out of our brain. For me, I think this rushing about comes from this idea that I don't want to waste a single moment of any day, especially those of my vacation or when someone visits.
More and more I've noticed this growing sense of urgency in my days. I've always been a planner. I run the plans of the day with an idea of how to do everything I want to do in the most efficient way. At times it's a challenge I relish, but now I wonder, is it getting in the way of enjoying each moment of the day. Taking a minute to thank God for the deliciousness of my breakfast, to relish in the warm feeling of a text from a friend, or to ruminate on the Word of God.
A long time ago one of my favorite pastors stated that the enemy was trying to isolate us from relationships and rob us of time. I see that so clearly in these days of ours. Social media, the 24 hour news cycle, the internet and all it's distractions not only isolate us but also rob us of soul replenishing time. How do you find soul rest? How do you sabbath?
In the last few years I've been researching this idea of Godly "rest." I took part in an online Bible study about it. I've watched or listened to a few podcasts about it. See, I was starting to feel guilty for not filling every moment. If I binge watched a show, I was wasting time. If I put off doing a cleaning chore, I felt guilty or as if I wasn't living up to my expectation as a wife. I stopped reading books because it felt like a guilty pleasure, and then I felt guilty for not being informed or having a good book to read at my finger tips. This is the tip of the iceberg of my thought process! Good grief! Even God rested on the seventh day! When the disciples were so busy they didn't even take time to eat, Jesus pulled them away to a quiet place to get rest. (Mark 6:31) Just as doctors are now prescribing "play" for kids, I think they should start writing prescriptions for adults that say, "rest!"
Rest is more than a good nap, although those are powerfully recuperative. Godly rest is to cease from working, to cease from distractions, to pull away from the things of this world and curl up into arms of the Savior. Spending time in the Bible, or in prayer, to be in a restorative silence is like a slice of watermelon on a hot day. It's time spent feeding your weary soul.
I've been soul weary. A well known verse says: "Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28 NLT) Many people know this verse well. It's the next part that speaks to what I'm trying to say here. "Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Putting on the mindset, the "way" of God, will give you and your soul rest, but you need to provide the space in your days to let HIM teach you how. If every part of my day is planned for ultimate efficiency, I'm not leaving any space for HIM to teach me.
This week is Easter Break for me. I have a great may plans for the days, but I'm also being intentional about how to find sabbath. I'm excited with the anticipation of it.
However, on the day I took off from school to spend with my friend I noticed the two of us were rushing around to get ready for the day as if we had to be somewhere and were running late. I mentioned this to her and said, "why is it we do this?"
We had planned for an easy day--a run to Trader Joe's and Target for treats she can't get in Holland, a movie, and a stop for fries at Bareburger. She shared with me that she does this often, this rushing about to get ready. We added that we both make lists of things we want to remember and to do, so we don't forget or to just get it out of our brain. For me, I think this rushing about comes from this idea that I don't want to waste a single moment of any day, especially those of my vacation or when someone visits.
More and more I've noticed this growing sense of urgency in my days. I've always been a planner. I run the plans of the day with an idea of how to do everything I want to do in the most efficient way. At times it's a challenge I relish, but now I wonder, is it getting in the way of enjoying each moment of the day. Taking a minute to thank God for the deliciousness of my breakfast, to relish in the warm feeling of a text from a friend, or to ruminate on the Word of God.
A long time ago one of my favorite pastors stated that the enemy was trying to isolate us from relationships and rob us of time. I see that so clearly in these days of ours. Social media, the 24 hour news cycle, the internet and all it's distractions not only isolate us but also rob us of soul replenishing time. How do you find soul rest? How do you sabbath?
In the last few years I've been researching this idea of Godly "rest." I took part in an online Bible study about it. I've watched or listened to a few podcasts about it. See, I was starting to feel guilty for not filling every moment. If I binge watched a show, I was wasting time. If I put off doing a cleaning chore, I felt guilty or as if I wasn't living up to my expectation as a wife. I stopped reading books because it felt like a guilty pleasure, and then I felt guilty for not being informed or having a good book to read at my finger tips. This is the tip of the iceberg of my thought process! Good grief! Even God rested on the seventh day! When the disciples were so busy they didn't even take time to eat, Jesus pulled them away to a quiet place to get rest. (Mark 6:31) Just as doctors are now prescribing "play" for kids, I think they should start writing prescriptions for adults that say, "rest!"
Rest is more than a good nap, although those are powerfully recuperative. Godly rest is to cease from working, to cease from distractions, to pull away from the things of this world and curl up into arms of the Savior. Spending time in the Bible, or in prayer, to be in a restorative silence is like a slice of watermelon on a hot day. It's time spent feeding your weary soul.
I've been soul weary. A well known verse says: "Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28 NLT) Many people know this verse well. It's the next part that speaks to what I'm trying to say here. "Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Putting on the mindset, the "way" of God, will give you and your soul rest, but you need to provide the space in your days to let HIM teach you how. If every part of my day is planned for ultimate efficiency, I'm not leaving any space for HIM to teach me.
This week is Easter Break for me. I have a great may plans for the days, but I'm also being intentional about how to find sabbath. I'm excited with the anticipation of it.
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