I painted again. It was lovely.
Rest, attained. But woebegone, not for long.
I confess to my intention of blogging daily in this season of sabbath..
But that was almost a week ago.
This blog draft has been saved for 5 days.
This is my first post.
For those of you who don't know, I have chosen to spend the rest of this month, May 2012, absent from the world texting and social networking.
Why would you do a thing like that?
If you thought that, you must be one of my fellow "y-generationers".
I had three goals in mind:
1. To reflect on what's happened in my life over the past 4 years.
2. To disconnect from media, in order regain eternal perspective.
3. To spend the time that I would normally spend on facebook, texting,
twitter, or my new favorite and most time-consuming social network, instagram, and to instead, rest and sabbath.
If I were to rate how well I've done in achieving those goals thus far, the gauge would definitely be teetering left; a.k.a., not very well.
In reflection of my failure (at least I'm reflecting something) I have acquired some costly truths.
'Here goes'
It is only possible to experience true reflection, is if your mind is at rest.
Rest requires intentionality.
And it is only through rest and reflection that we can gain perspective.
It's cyclical, you see.
---
When I chose to "unplug" I didn't consciously think that it would be a fix-all, a cure of calm for the American woman, busy mind. However, when the cranial gray fuzzies were still just as loud without all the "extras", I realized there was some subconscious presumption that this media fast would be the antidote to my overload. I quickly realized there is much more to it.
Rest requires intentionality.
And rest bears
so.much.fruit.
Let me clarify what I mean by rest.
I began to value rest about a month ago when I attended a retreat with my church community, 'Resonate' (that is an important term to note-- I assure you, I will reference it often, for I dearly treasure the family they have been to me and the ways that God continues to use them to remind me of my need for Him and my need for my brothers and sisters). The name of the retreat was "Sabbath".
We talked candidly about how our culture doesn't permit rest. And sadly, the lives of westernized Christians reflect the same unachievable standard. In fact, often there is such an emphasis on doing things for the Kingdom, that we scarcely permit our brothers and sisters in Christ to rest at all. We are waiting for man to give us permission to rest, when God, our Father, our Creator, already has.
In our time together at the retreat, we also discussed what a Sabbath should look like. Although there was certainly an air of agreement that one of the most effective ways to Sabbath would be 24 hour period of rest, we made note of how legalism was never intended to be a part of this gift of stillness and tranquility (as clearly seen in Matthew 12:10). Sabbath is much more about the recognition that God is the one that is in control, and to have a mind, a heart, a spirit, that is at rest. It is when we are at rest with God in the depths of our souls that we gain eternal perspective. With eternal perspective, we see things entirely different. Every person is seen as a soul. Every encounter is exciting. Every moment is valuable. And every context is consecrated.
I think we should be able to purpose one day to give up control, and vow to calm. However, the twenty-four hour period isn't the point. It could be more, it could be less. The point is being honest with ourselves, and be willing to do whatever it takes to re-align ourselves with 'sabbata'. After all, the Creator of all things, who doesn't need rest, observed a day of rest and delight. I think it is fair to say we can too.
It is in this orbit of rest that we remember the important things in life. In other words, we are reminded of it means to be content. We remember to trust God, with whatever seed He has given us to sow. 2 Peter 1: 3 tells us
"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
Gratitude is the key to joy. If we don't renew our minds (Romans 12), it is so easy to fall into a life of greed. A life that says what we have is never enough.
'Not enough'...
Isn't that what Eve said?
Her and Adam were given everything.
but one. little. tree.
--> A quick plug for my girl, Ann Voskamp. If you want a good read on gratitude you must read "One Thousand Gifts"-- lifechanger.)
Do we really think we're the ones doing the work?
I am challenged by this.
---
I wish that at this point I could tell you about all the amazing Sabbath experiences I've had since that day, but if I'm being honest. I haven't even had one.
I have filled my life with so many 'things'. I have placed so much value on a schedule. Because when I do a lot, you see, that's all the more affirmation I get from other people.
But what about my Father? How does He feel when He draws me to rest and spend time with Him, enjoying Him, and I tell him that it is more important that I claim my knowing of Him to others. Don't we see just how little sense that makes? Holy Spirit, piece through the coat of flesh over our eyes that blinds us, and give us the lense of eternity
It is also imperative to note that 'free time' is not indicative of rest. It will, most often, simply become idol time.You see, if we don't set aside time for rest with the Father, it will never happen.
---
This week I have felt the weight of how easily time slips away. It falls quicker through our fingers than the grains of sand that sift through the confines of the hour-glass.
Perfection I cannot guarantee; however, change, I can. I can no longer wait for my opportunity to Sabbath. That opportunity will never come. Instead, I will consecrate a Sabbath to my King, and protect it with boundaries that will demote my calendar from superior, to subordinate.
This was not supposed to be so long.
This is why I need to blog more regularly.
Rest. Reflection. Perspective.
