Rest and Replenish
Something weird is going on. I can’t believe how fast the year is racing by and yet, at the same time, so many people seem to be tired. We’ve hit July but we’re ready for a summer holiday. Is it nearly Christmas yet? It makes me wonder how much we’re still reeling and recovering from some of the challenges we’ve faced over the past three years.
Richard Black from Mind Health talks about how most of us have previously worked out the things we need to do to rest and refresh. But because the level of difficulty in life has gone up for many of us, there’s a good chance those rhythms are no longer sufficient.
Think of it this way. If you are used to regularly running 10kms and then step up to run a marathon, the sleep, food and time you’ll need to recover also goes up. If we’re finding ourselves more stressed and stretched than usual, are we learning what additional rhythms we need to refresh and replenish?
We’re heading away for a week-long break soon and in preparation, Jenny’s mentor asked her this question: “What would make the week wildly successful?”
I love the question because it stretches the thought process way beyond ordinary things and the usual outcomes. It challenges me to think differently which is the very thing we need if we’re more tired than usual.
For me, it will mean time with friends, reading for more than just entertainment (there’s nothing wrong with reading for entertainment, it’s just that learning replenishes me), making time for the Lord, and doing things as a family we love to do together.
What about you? Maybe you’re not going away. Maybe what you’re looking forward to is this weekend, an evening with friends, or just carving out a couple of child-free hours. I think the question is still relevant in these contexts too: what would make that time wildly successful?
Most of all, let us never stop making time for the Lord in Word, worship and prayer. Making time to place our anxiety on him and allowing him to remind us of his goodness. In that light, maybe this would be a good verse to ponder right now.
“Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” Ps 116:7
Much love,
Simon
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