Life is
interesting sometimes…
This
past weekend I “got out of Dodge” and spent a little time with my mom at the
South Dakota State Fair. It has been eight years – close to a decade – since I
had last been to the Fair. Doesn’t that seem like a long time!?! It was nice to
go back though. I watched a few 4-H shows, went on a ride, and ate all the food
you should only consume once a year! This time did remind me how much I need to
share the following thoughts.
Pace –
that’s the title of this post. (I know I’m using up all the running metaphors,
but I think this will be the last! And the picante sauce logo just seemed to fit!) And kind of fitting to share on Labor Day!
So, HAPPY LABOR DAY everyone!
Three
weeks ago yesterday, my wife and I returned with 22 others from Jamaica.
Jamaica, as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, was a truly wonderful experience.
It was a chance to grow in my relationship with the Lord and an opportunity to
extend that relationship to others. One
thing that settled on me as we spent time in Jamaica was the pace of life. It
went, but it certainly wasn’t hurried. After all the busyness I had this summer
before arriving, it was a very nice change of pace. I enjoyed relaxing a little
bit and letting life go on without my constant watch gazing. We all worked
hard; but it was about the quality of work, not the quantity. I needed that
chance.
Fast-forward
to when we arrived home. Here’s a little of all that I’ve accomplished in these
three weeks:
Arranged
a group and shared about our experience two days after getting back, caught up
a week’s worth of class work in a graduate level course, finished that course,
finished another course (so, writing lots of papers), wrote curriculum, devised
new policies for work, gardened a ton of food!, removed rock and dug up area
alongside our house where we used to have bushed (a.k.a. landscaped), made new
bulletin boards, arranged files, figured out budgets, planned meetings, etc…
I think
you get the picture. Often, it’s not felt like I’ve had a moment to breathe in
these past three weeks because everything around me is telling me to go. I have
felt the most unhealthy in all my life these past three weeks and all because
of the pace of everything.
Why are
our lives so cluttered and busy?
Why are
we filling them with stuff?
Can we
not just enjoy the quiet?
Scripture
reminds us that our life is but a breath and that we are here only a brief
moment. (See Psalm 8:4; 39:5; 103:15) Why should our time be spent of frivolous
things that just wear us down? (I do want to be clear that not all the things
I’ve been doing have not been for naught; nor are the things we can find our
hands on.)
We move
too quickly in this world. While we are often up to good things, are those good
things pushing out God in our lives? This is where I’m coming from and have
experienced some these few weeks. One of the things I’ve learned this summer
(which I plan to share soon in another post) is that God inhabits the ordinary
and mundane places of our lives the most. When we’re moving so fast that we
don’t even have time to notice, where is He? But when we calm down and just be,
then we can find Him.
It’s a
true gift from God to be at rest. And He just might put you there!
So, it
was truly fitting that getting away to go the State Fair would be a solace for
my soul. My parents just enjoy life out at the Fair – they don’t push things
but just are present. I needed that and I got that. God spoke to my heart and
showed up as I rested in Him.
Find
your rest today in Him. Set aside the labor, take in this moment of your life
because it has such purpose, and enjoy God for who He is! Love Him and let His
grace transform you!
