Even when I have the time (which is rare) I find myself either filling my rest time with activity or retreating completely (i.e. a day or two at Holy Cross monastery) in order to detox from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to recharge.
For the past few weeks a quiet whisper that now registers as a shout has been telling me that averaging the extremes of this all-on or all-off approach is not balance. This still, small voice hints at a different rhythm of living that I want to embrace, but have yet to fully identify and consistently practice.
So what's a girl to do?
I don't know yet, but I plan to begin by getting back to basics. Am I willing to make time for a sabbath rest in the midst of my busy schedule? How about more consistent quiet time in the morning or the occasional afternoon nap? While I am sure I could convince myself that I have NO TIME for these "luxuries" I know that I always find more when I practice living in less.
How about you? Do you intentionally seek balance in your life? If so, how? Hoping we can share some useful stories and encourage one another...
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Joan -
While not perfect, I have made a conscious effort to get up a half- hour early and practice a quiet time of meditation and scripture reading each morning. In addition, I have scaled back my obligations and commitments for the evenings, so I am only out of the house one or maybe two times a week. So the evenings are spent with the family, usually doing something relaxing. I went through a period of extreme burnout a couple years ago because I was way over my head with job, boards, committees, church elder, youth group leader, etc. It was killing me. ALthough not perfect, it is much better now after taking stock and saying "no" to more commitments.
After just having had a baby, getting back to work and fully getting into the groove of choir, housefellowship and other commitments in church, I practically burned out last Sunday. I really had to retreat and take a deep breath. My resolve is to do more of a 'walk with God' than a 'work with/for God' and attend to my family ministry which I must point out is very vital.
Keep it very real, folks!
When i am meditating the words of God,that's my resting time,because truly,by meditation,there's a freedom felt,something that only the spirit of God that touches your very soul and give you rest from all the busyness of life,the bible said,"cast your burdens upon me those who are heavily laden,come to me all of you who are tired and carrying heavy loads,for the yoke i gave you is easy and your burden is light, come to me and i'll give you rest."when we always meditate these words,there's no way that you feel tired.
REST? Wow thats a nice ear-friendly word. The Lord taught me lesson about it in a very painful way. I was busy pastoring for almost 10 years. In that period of time, i was able to plant a new church, started a campus ministry, "pastored" 4 diffrent churches, chairman of the evangelism committee of a confrence, built three houses, got married and had three kids. Name it brother. . . . I was so busy for the Lord in all areas of my life. At the end of this ten years my marriage was about to break, my realtionship with my fellow ministers was not healthy. One day I got accidentally pinned to a post by a truck delivering gravel for my house construction. It left me with two dislocated ribs and four inches laceration in my liver. By God's miraculous hand, In a weak the laceration and the dislocation was negative. Did I learn to rest?. . . Yes! for a number of muonths I did and now I have to apply the principle daily. Trusting that He will make all things beautiful in His time.
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