Yesterday I took a nap in my office. I never used to take naps before. Growing up, anytime i would, I'd just wind up feeling more tired than I was when I first laid down, and they seemed to get in the way of my life.
Then a couple years ago I worked at a summer camp where nap time was a part of the everyday routine. we'd have lunch around 12. then song-time for 15 minutes. and then we'd go back to our cabins, and have rest time. usually for about 45 minutes, but sometimes, like if it was rainy, it'd be longer. (once it was for about 2 to 3 hours!) eventually i learned to take advantage of it myself, and before long, i came to really look forward to it. so much so that i decided to add it to my own schedule, once camp had ended and i was back out in the real world. So for about 2 and a half years now, everyday I've eaten lunch and taken a nap. And in all honesty, my life loves it. And my body notices when I haven't had one in awhile. all this to say, rest is important and necessary, and if we don't take time to do it, eventually our bodies will let us know.
As you go about your busy lives - bouncing from thing to thing to thing, remember to take time to actually rest, and breathe consciously, and to give thanks for it.
Rest, it's a good thing.
We are about to begin the season of Lent. A season where we are invited to give something up, and work on something more. But it's not simply that. The purpose isn't giving up something simply for the sake of giving something up (even for 40 days). The purpose of Lent is to focus on God. It's about giving something up that keeps us from focusing on God - like gossip, or porn, or over-indulgances - or working on something to help us grow closer to God - like committing to reading one's bible everyday, or praying daily, or spending time with a person or group of people who you've never gotten to know.
Or maybe you do both - give something up, while taking something on - which is what Christ did for us. Gave up himself, and everything else, and took on our sins. Like I said, the season of Lent is about God.
Perhaps for this Lenten season, we could work on learning how to rest. Remembering that in order to serve God, we have to perform at our best. And if we're tired, we won't. And while we work on rest, perhaps give up something that keeps you from resting. More specifically, perhaps give up something that keeps you from being at peace; that keeps you from drawing closer to God. (Note: this isn't an excuse to be lazy.)
You belong here,
Ben J
Scripture(s):
“Cometo me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and Iwill give you rest.”- Matthew 11:28-29
“While he was stillspeaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from thecloud a voice said, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am wellplesaed; listen to him!' When the disciples heard this, they fell tothe ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touchedthem, saying, 'Get up and do not be afraid.' And when they looked up,they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.” - Matthew 5-8
Then a couple years ago I worked at a summer camp where nap time was a part of the everyday routine. we'd have lunch around 12. then song-time for 15 minutes. and then we'd go back to our cabins, and have rest time. usually for about 45 minutes, but sometimes, like if it was rainy, it'd be longer. (once it was for about 2 to 3 hours!) eventually i learned to take advantage of it myself, and before long, i came to really look forward to it. so much so that i decided to add it to my own schedule, once camp had ended and i was back out in the real world. So for about 2 and a half years now, everyday I've eaten lunch and taken a nap. And in all honesty, my life loves it. And my body notices when I haven't had one in awhile. all this to say, rest is important and necessary, and if we don't take time to do it, eventually our bodies will let us know.
As you go about your busy lives - bouncing from thing to thing to thing, remember to take time to actually rest, and breathe consciously, and to give thanks for it.
Rest, it's a good thing.
We are about to begin the season of Lent. A season where we are invited to give something up, and work on something more. But it's not simply that. The purpose isn't giving up something simply for the sake of giving something up (even for 40 days). The purpose of Lent is to focus on God. It's about giving something up that keeps us from focusing on God - like gossip, or porn, or over-indulgances - or working on something to help us grow closer to God - like committing to reading one's bible everyday, or praying daily, or spending time with a person or group of people who you've never gotten to know.
Or maybe you do both - give something up, while taking something on - which is what Christ did for us. Gave up himself, and everything else, and took on our sins. Like I said, the season of Lent is about God.
Perhaps for this Lenten season, we could work on learning how to rest. Remembering that in order to serve God, we have to perform at our best. And if we're tired, we won't. And while we work on rest, perhaps give up something that keeps you from resting. More specifically, perhaps give up something that keeps you from being at peace; that keeps you from drawing closer to God. (Note: this isn't an excuse to be lazy.)
You belong here,
Ben J
Scripture(s):
“Cometo me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and Iwill give you rest.”- Matthew 11:28-29
“While he was stillspeaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from thecloud a voice said, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am wellplesaed; listen to him!' When the disciples heard this, they fell tothe ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touchedthem, saying, 'Get up and do not be afraid.' And when they looked up,they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.” - Matthew 5-8