So far this week, we’ve looked at rhythms for rest, but what should one actually do with that time? One author, Tim Keller, has suggested two main categories of rest.
1) Doing nothing at all. Kick your feet up.
2) Do something different from your usual work.
If you work in a bank, volunteering to help launch our church is a form of rest. But if you work in a church, then it isn’t rest…but doing the books for your favourite charity could be.
If you’re a fisherman, then fishing isn’t rest. But if you’re a videographer, it is.
If you’re a landscaper, then cutting the grass at home isn’t rest. But for many people, it’s therapeutic!
Not sure what that might look like?
It could be contemplative – spend some time praying, reading something spiritually focused, watching a sunrise.
It could be recreational – playing soccer, rock climbing, hitting the beach, learning a new skill, reading something just for fun.
It could be aesthetic – going to an art gallery, climbing the CN tower to look over the city, watching an outdoor movie like we’re hosting this September.
Rest is going to vary depending on your work and your personality.
For me – rest is reading, or outdoors. Hiking, rock climbing, camping, all use muscles, parts of my brain and energies that writing these challenges and standing here in front of a camera talking to you does not!
Question: List your favourite way to find rest in each of these categories:
Doing Nothing:
Contemplative:
Recreational:
Aesthetic:
Then put down when you’ll plan to do that next.
We meet for coffee this Wednesday night at Starbucks in the Chapters Store in Ajax, in Durham Region just East of Toronto. Maybe we’ll see you there?
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Today we look at how Jesus teaches us to stop worrying
Helene Hadfield said she doesn't worry about her husband while he's in space, despite the high level of risk involved in his work.
"If I did, I would go crazy. You can either spend your time worrying or spend your time enjoying the whole process and knowing Chris was loving every second of the time. For me to worry, it would be counterproductive because it would take away from his joy," she said.
"And I trust him. I trust that he can fix things and he knows what's going on and he's trained for so many years and he's so competent. But most of all, I just know that he loves what he does so it doesn't matter what the risks are."
Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/hadfield-says-hot-shower-felt-so-good-after-5-months-aboard-iss-1.1280554#ixzz2TQQKwlUp
She has faith in her husband, but of course he's not God, he's just a man in the sky!
For our worries, the solution involves deeper faith, but in God. This is why Jesus says, “You of little faith.” He's not telling people with no faith to get on it. He's talking to his followers, people with some faith, and he wants them to deepen their reliance on him.
Apply him to all areas of life…trust him with his creation, rather than thinking its all ours.
Having God's kingdom as first priority means we can have all sorts of second priorities. Think back to the image of our water glasses last week - pouring into God's kingdom overflows into our worldly needs.
But if I worry about building my kingdom, I am consumed by worry.
Note that Jesus isn't saying he'll give you all your wildest hopes and dreams. He’s offering a bird's level of food and a flower’s level of clothing! Oh, and citizenship in his kingdom. That's what makes it all worthwhile.
Challenge: From your worry list, what do you love more than God? How can you love God first, and those things second? In what decision today can you extend a little more trust to God than before?
