Calm and Joy in the Rush
As the summer comes to a close (I can’t believe I’m writing that, mid-August!) – but as it does, I look at my calendar and I’m seeing it fill up! Between the church, family, and additional opportunities and responsibilities, I’m a little amazed at all that’s going on.
Anyone else feel that way?
If you’ve got kids, you may be feeling the pressure to get them ready to go back to school (Bridgette and Bria are out there right now, doing back-to-school shopping). If you’re involved with the Washington Fair Booth (thank you!) then you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and stress too. If you’re a teacher, or someone in a myriad of jobs that work on a similar “school” calendar, you’re also probably preparing to ramp up things for the Fall. And maybe, just maybe, you’re feeling the pressure.
To you, and to myself (I’m always preaching to myself first), I want to offer you two things.
First, the value of twenty, ten, seven, five, three minutes of quiet, contemplative prayer, simply sitting and breathing and allowing God, by the Spirit, to meet you in that moment and wash you anew in the peace of Jesus Christ – that cannot be overstated. Maybe you’ve integrated it into your regular rhythm of practices and if so, well done. Maybe you haven’t, and that’s ok. But all of us can gain something from putting ourselves in the place and space to receive from God like that, especially when we’re feeling the mounting stress of many things, and multiple projects and deadlines. If you need help with that, let me know. I put together a simple guide on Prayer (& Journaling) during the season of Lent.
Second… lean into what makes you come alive! I just got out of meeting with a couple of people – one where I walked in a little less than full of energy. And yet, I walked out, feeling energized. As an extrovert, that works for me. I recognize it doesn’t for everyone. Each of us have different ways where we come alive, by the grace of God. Some of us come alive through music, some through other art forms, some while we garden, others while we cook or craft a perfect set of spreadsheets. Some of us come alive by serving a cup of coffee to someone and others by mowing their lawn, some of us come alive by reading beautiful words and others by going for a run. God made us all beautifully unique, with a mix of gifts and talents and passions and we can come alive when we lean into them – especially in service to others, not in selfish pursuit for ourselves.
Life is filled with work – work we cannot get around or get out of, no matter how high on the ladder we climb. For as long as we breathe, our days will be limited to just 24hrs, and there will be seasons where we will either try to cram 25hrs into them, or be asked by others to do so. So making time to be centered in prayer and leaning into what makes our hearts truly sing, in service to others, can propel us forward in a more healthy way than if we try to just muddle through ourselves.
I pray today that you will truly live in joy and peace!
Welcoming You to Grow in Jesus,
Pastor Don