The purpose of Rest

Sometimes one’s planned rest periods don’t work out.

Mark 6:33-34 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

I give thanks for the nature of God revealed in Jesus that puts compassion as one of life’s highest goals. Multiple times in the gospel Jesus is moved to action by compassion; compassion for people’s physical suffering, for their hunger, for their times of mourning, for their spiritual feelings of being lost and cut off.
Still Jesus continues to seek times of rest and solitude. Why? Because he knows that even the most compassionate among us can suffer compassion burnout.

I try and take Fridays as a day of rest. If there is a funeral or other significant crisis in people’s lives, however, I will always make that a priority. Then I am careful to find some other time both for myself and my family.

For a nice laugh, check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyNyHLCppMA

Give it a Rest

Mark 6:30-34 30 The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while."
Resting is not easy for many people Our self worth is dependent on what we produce – how may things we can get done. But can you have a “productive” day of rest?

Exodus 20:8 8 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy.

Intentional/planned/regular rest periods are much more effective than working till you’re exhausted then trying to play catch up.

I remember a long hike I took with my son when he was 11. He was running up the trail ahead of me and having a great time – a true bundle of energy. A couple of miles into the hike, however, he hit the wall. He was tired, he “hated hiking” etc. We stopped for a long rest and lunch but in truth he never regained his joy.

The next time we went hiking I was smarter. I told him 20 minutes into the hike that I was getting old and tired and needed to rest and he would have to humor me and wait for me. That day we hiked 6 miles altogether and he never broke spirit.
Even in the pursuit of something as wonderful as service to others in Christ’s name we have to watch and plan for the care of our own spirits long before we get tired. Then we shall mount up on wings like eagles, run and not be weary, walk and not faint.

So what are we doing?

Would you help me put together a laundry list of all the various things we do in the name of Christ through Epworth UMC?
Here is a start from things just this last week:

• Stephens Ministry visitors
• Smith Memorial Day Care
o Grandma Pat’s story Thursday
o Pastor Steve’s singing time
• Youth on Mission trip
• Praise Band
• Hospital Calls
• Prayer Chain
• Emmaus Gatherings
• Intermountain Children’s home offering

This is only scratching the surface – add a comment about the various things you are doing or things you know others are doing!

Just keeping busy - or – Doing God’s work?

Mark 6:30-31 30 The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while."

I doubt if any of us are bored very often in this day and age. The important thing is to look at what we are doing and ask ourselves if we are just doing busy work or if we are doing the work that Jesus sent us out to do. It’s kind of like counting calories, however. Don’t just assume you know what you are doing, try keeping a running journal of actual time spent:
7:15 – arrive at church and get settled in the office cleaning up the paper from Sunday morning (check for leftover cookies in the downstairs refrigerator)
7:45 – call up Blog files and clean them out getting ready to write up on a regular basis (hopefully)
8:15 – call the hospital and see who is in from our church.
8:30 – Blog some more and ask ‘did I miss anything’ – answer: how about a morning devotional from my “Pilgrim’s Almanac”

Give it a try, see if you learn anything about yourself!

Back on the Road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13-15 13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them,

As we pick up the ongoing conversation let me hear some of your thoughts and visions. What is it that we as a church do best? What new directions/ministries could we be developing?

Add a comment and join in the conversation!