"REST & RENEWAL"

“REST & RENEWAL”

Monday, March 21st, 2022

SCRIPTURE:

30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” 32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. – Mark 6:30-32

THOUGHTS TO PONDER:

The alarm goes off. The dog starts doing the happy dance because she must go out. Shower, breakfast, get the kids out the door for school. My cell phone rings. An elderly woman has fallen and has broken her hip and is in the hospital and will have to be in rehab for 21 days. Her family isn’t taking it well. I check my email to discover that I’ve got 53 emails that need to be read AND responded to. I’m later contacted by a member at church who is having marital struggles and needs someone to talk to. I meet with a clergy colleague for lunch who is struggling with a church member who failed to ask him to speak at a funeral, the very next day. Shuttling the kids around to sports practices, games, and drivers ed. Multiple evening meetings during the week. Car trouble. Taxes to prepare. Trash is piling up in the garage and needs to be taken to the dump. The neighbor’s dogs won’t stop barking. NOISE. LOUD NOISE. BUSY. BUSY. BUSY. CAN YOU RELATE?

You walk into the church office and it seems like everyone is demanding your undivided attention, RIGHT NOW and it can’t wait. The people you serve are putting the pressure on to “perform”. There are a million things to DO and an exponential amount of persons and situations are ALL demanding your attention.

And all the while, the voice of God is whispering . . . .

“Be Still and Know that I Am God . . .

“Be Still and Know That I Am . . . .

“Be Still and Know” . . .

“Be Still” . . .

“BE” . . .

- Psalm 46:10

SHHHHHHhhhhhhhhh

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION:

Today it seems to have gotten harder and harder to “escape” …. to “retreat” from the busy things of this world, with the intentional purpose of “creating space in our schedules, hearts, and minds, for God to reveal Himself to us”. We have cell phones, iPods and iPads, email, TV, digital technology, satellite radio to pick up any station in just about any location, work stresses, fighting traffic, children and/or church members hollering for our undivided attention, the list goes on….

I used to find it tough to find a get-away spot where I was surrounded by nothing but the beauty of God’s creation, But as I’ve discovered those places to escape to, I’ve often found it harder having the discipline to cut-off the technology: NOT to check my e-mail while away, not to bring my cell phone along, or even my watch for that matter, allowing myself to fully engage in the present moment….

Ruth Hayley Barton, Christian author once said, that “Most of us are more tired than we know at the soul level. We are teetering on the brink of dangerous exhaustion, and we really cannot do anything else until we have gotten some rest… Before it can be anything else, solitude needs to be a place of rest in God.”

As clergy men and women, we are to be intentional about our own spiritual lives. Often that requires of us disconnecting, or “retreating” from the busyness of our schedules. A clergy colleague once told me, he said, “We are thirsty water givers.” (Rev. Jody Seymour). As I’ve pondered that statement over the years, and as I’ve reflected upon Jesus’ model of prayer, silence, and solitude, breaking away for spiritual renewal is a valuable discipline we all need to intentionally engage in.

Be encouraged today to schedule some time away in the next month or two, to disconnect from the “daily grind” so-to-speak, to intentionally make yourself available to THE ONE who has first called you by name into a personal relationship with Himself, Jesus Christ.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for being so wrapped up in the busy-ness of doing ministry and failing to simply recognize, appreciate, and relish in Your Divine Presence. Stir up my heart for a renewed longing after You. Provide me, O Lord, with the resources, the schedule, and the discipline to break away in the near future for rest, and renewal in my relationship with You. I ask in the powerful name of Jesus - Amen.

RESOURCE & APPLICATION:

When was the last time you took a day off? A weekend off? A Sunday off? Or even several days for yourself? If it’s been a while, be encouraged to schedule some time away. If you would like any suggestions, resources for retreat centers, or simply some help in planning your time away, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I’d be glad to help.

16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. – Luke 5:16

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. – Mark 1:35