For our service this month we are basing it on the verse in Matthew 11 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
I have spent the week mulling over this verse, really trying to understand it, embrace it, let it seep into my being!, as a way of helping me to think about and prepare for the service. This verse feels so timely to me right now, I have been feeling so tired and worn down, mostly with responsibilities that I don’t particularly want but have some how taken on! One thing I reread during this week was Paul Marshall book ‘Heaven is not my home’, he suggests that rest requires us to “acknowledge that God and our brothers and sisters can survive without us”, he goes onto suggest that true rest requires faith and when we rest we accept god’s grace. Wow i just find that quite mind blowing, simple, but not easy to accept or really take on board. Am interested to hear other peoples views on it.
If you think about it, we spend most of our lives finding ways to reassure ourselves that we are important and that we can make a difference – be that through our work, raising children, or looking after others – it’s not surprising then that we find it hard to acknowledge that the world goes on without our help!!! We all need to be needed (some of us more than others perhaps) and it can be really hard to switch that off. I think often church life can play into this – I was talking to an old friend last week who commented that for years she had felt that she “had to work for God in order to earn his love”. Since giving up her work (and her church) she has discovered a different kind of relationship with God, which does not rely on her feeling that God needs her to do stuff for him. It was a courageous decision to step away from all the structures which she associated with her faith, but she has been rewarded with real spiritual growth. So often we resist giving things up because in our culture busyness is regarded as ‘good’ – giving something up seems somehow negative, defeatist, or weak. But sometimes it is just the right thing to do. One of my older cafe volunteers told me last week she wanted to give up helping in the kitchen. “I’ve just got so many other things I want to do” she told me. I was concerned that she had not been enjoying her volunteering, or had been unhappy. No, she assured me she had enjoyed it very much – but she “just knew” it was time to stop. I will be sad to lose her – but on reflection I have to say that I admire the wisdom which knows how to end something before it becomes a chore.
By: Clare on May 1, 2009
at 7:43 pm
Interesting posts Sonia and Clare.
I really struggle with this one, partly because I feel like life is so hectic and I’m running just to stand still, but also with Poppy. I want to rest, I need to rest, and the skipster is getting better at taking over; but there’s this part of me that can’t bear to be parted from Poppy, so I want to do all the things she needs even though I’m tired. The best part of my day though is bathtime, when we both get in together, and although it requires some attention on my part (Poppy is a huge splasher!) mostly it is sanctuary from my horrible day and restful time with my beautiful girl which I feel I’ve earned!
Much love to all, hope the service goes well – it sounds like a good ‘un
By: dadube on May 3, 2009
at 6:53 am
I love the way Jesus invites us to follow Him, inviting us to trust his understanding of us. it sounds as though Paul Marshall’s book is worth a read.
one thing I’ve become aware of, is how sensitive I’ve let myself be to ‘atmosphere’. I quickly feel crushed whe there’s a tetchiness about. sometimes church buildings seem to magnify this feeling ‘don’t you dare fart in here!’ am senseing I need to take less notice, and let myself get cought up with worshiping God
By: subo on May 3, 2009
at 8:37 am
I think you would like Paul Marshall book Su. Thanks Dadube, the service was lovely. The hammock and the plants were a big hit!. I have posted a photo from it with the original posting.
I think what you have said about giving things up is interesting Clare. I love the wisdom of your volunteer. Sometimes it is hard to give things up, when you are aware that others rely on you.
I have noticed at work and I know this is not unusual to us, that there is a culture of being overly busy. Sometimes there is almost an unspoken competition to be the busiest!. It is so easy to be dragged into the culture in our society of “oh i am so busy at the moment”, if you are not overly busy you feel that you are failing. To stand against that is quite ‘counter to the culture’.
By: soniamain on May 4, 2009
at 9:52 am
Nice thoughts one and all. I am getting so much better at resting! But have realised that it needs conscious practice!
Funny story from Mothers day was re the kids who purchased their mum some flowers saying that they would have bought more expensive ones that they had seen and liked (and that they thought appropriate for her given her character) but they were a bit too expensive as they were shaped into the letters RIP!! Perhaps I am learning to rest in peace!
I think my sabbatical last year helped with this – I am a reasonably self aware rampant activist who knows that much of my identity and gratification is tied up in ‘doing’. To some extent I have come to celebrate this as worship (present your bodies as a living sacrifice – this is your reasonable worship… etc) – however have also discovered something of the Sabbath moments and principle that seem to help me at the moment.
Trying not to be legalistic about it but am being rigid with my diary to build in space and also still trying to ensure that I get time to be creative – recharges me nicely! Also find writing poetry helps … here is a recent musing which seems to connect … hope you enjoy a restful moment to read…
Adrift
Adrift in landscapes new
Moment forgetting
Diamond white expanding universe
Stretched in time and space
At the edges
To find the centre original … and
Back in green light
Eyes forever held the sun
Bright embrace
Laughter healing mind and soul
Heart still, re-entry slow
Earth welcomes her children… and
Breathe gentle
Breathe gentle
Breathe gentle
Breathe gentle
Breathe gentle
Home…
peace – davex
By: Dave on May 4, 2009
at 11:47 am
nice one dave
rest really can be beautiful, have been using the yoga on my wii fit this last couple of weeks and think its starting to make a difference…..
By: dadube on May 5, 2009
at 7:48 am
I like the idea of blocking time in your diary to be creative Dave, got me thinking I could do the same but for gardening, it’s while I am gardening that I often feel most rested, sounds odd but it works for me!.
By: soniamain on May 5, 2009
at 7:37 pm
I have just started reading martin lairds book (recommended by Subo) ‘Into the Silent Land’ which is about rediscovering the practice of contemplation. I was moved by the first chapter which talks about separation from God being an illusion, largely resulting from our busy and chaotic lives and our short attention spans! the writer affirms that ‘God is our homeland, and the human instinct is homed on God’. I found it encouraging to be reminded, with wisdom backed up by centuries of saints and sages, that God is indeed present with us, if we only stop long enough to notice him. Suddenly, from being a kind of optional luxury, rest, space and silence take on a new importance when I think of them as being pre-requisites for meeting with God.
By: sanctuarybath on May 5, 2009
at 10:07 pm
nice to get the credit Clare, though have not read Martin Laird – it looks fab, just checked it out on Amazon
I think I’m facing a need to build more ‘rest’ into my life, and have found an understanding of ‘idolatry’ quite liberating. the idea is, that if your allowing someone else to wind you up, your giving them power that belongs to God – its not easy to get your head round, and am not discounting the hurt people cause, I am realising though that I give people more power than is their due.
here’s to offering yourself the same compassion, understanding and invitation for enjoyment, as you’d award the people you care about
By: subo on May 5, 2009
at 10:49 pm
‘Into the Silent Land’ which is about rediscovering the practice of contemplation – how strange I order that book last week Clare – recomended by a friend in Midlands! davex
By: Dave on May 5, 2009
at 11:17 pm
you know what, I love coming on here and reading all your thoughts – just wanted to let you know that today
I really must start reading some of the books people recommend coz you have such great conversations. my spiritual limit at the moment is ‘That’s not my puppy’ and other stories – maybe someone should write a Christian version ‘That’s not my God’. Hmmmm, I could make a mint
By: dadube on May 6, 2009
at 1:21 pm
you could use “that’s not my god” as an re resource Daudbe!, should def look to do that, just picture the hindu gods and the image of consumerism!!- may be pushing it for under 2’s a but might help bored parents!!
Was intrigued to look at the Martin laird book, looks good so have ordered a copy, I need some inspiration!.
By: soniamain on May 6, 2009
at 5:42 pm
oh! it’s the heating grill!, i’ve been trying so hard to work out how you got a turkish carpet to float, in St Matts
maybe need a long nights sleep or some new specks
By: subo on May 7, 2009
at 3:15 pm
haha. thanks everyone for your comments. Charlie I definitely think you are onto something with ‘That’s not my God…’ in fact I think you should talk to Jon about doing the pictures for it, asbo stylee !!! Su I found the book by following a link you sent me, about a retreat in Oxford led by the author, think the place was called stillpoint? Of course once I am done reading it I will actually have to try and put it into practice which is the tricky bit! I’ll let you know how that goes.
By: sanctuarybath on May 9, 2009
at 10:38 pm