Resting for Renewal

And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” 
Mark 6:31

The last couple of weeks have been simply wonderful. Kathy and I enjoyed a time away from work and official ministry responsibilities. 

It was not a vacation, but as is now the popular term, a “staycation”. We had the joy of just “staying put” and relaxing in our new home. And yes, even amongst all the new home chores, it was very restful.

All too often when we hear the term “rest” we immediately think about sleeping in for a few days in a row, or doing some fun things with the family.  Many of us could certainly use that kind of rest and relaxed connection time with our loved ones. 

However, on this time off from my usual weekly routine, I was able to enjoy more than just physical rest, summertime fun, and family get-togethers.

I was able to use the change of pace to really slow down and connect with the Lord and renew my confidence and trust in Him as the Leader and Guide for my life.  I came to realize with certainty that I need to be more intentional about setting aside regularly scheduled times throughout the year (not just at “staycation” times) to “come away … and rest awhile.”  These times renew my trust, confidence, and spiritual strength in the Lord. 

May all of you have/take/make this opportunity a reality at some time this summer. I like what F.B. Meyer said about rest: “The place where we lie down to rest is under the shadow of the Cross.”

What are your strategies for spiritual rest this summer? I’d love to hear from you.

Every Blessing,

Alan

Discontentment temptation

Half full or half empty?

One of my roles in life is that of a preacher. One of the problems with preaching is that the preacher must preach to him/herself first...even if the topic is difficult! As those who attend my church know, I was assigned the topic of contentment. The problem is it's just a little absurd to preach on contentment in a society where most of our dogs live better lives than many of the world's human beings! So I had to do some soul searching. Why do I sometimes feel discontent?

Undoubtedly, some of my moments of discontent have to do with wrongful comparisons, inflexibility on my part, and maybe having too much stuff so that rather than owning my stuff my stuff now owns me!

But then I had reason to read of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-7). In the context of the perfect Garden of Eden they saw (more accurately; were shown) something they didn't have that "was good for food and pleasing to the eye and also desireable for gaining wisdom" (Gen 3:6, NIV)...and they fell into the discontentment trap! Yes, I know there was more going on in Genesis 3 but their sense of lack was present even in the most perfect environment ever known to humankind.

I also had reason to read of the temptation of none other than Jesus! In Matthew 4, the devil tries to tempt Jesus with discontentment; with natural desire ("tell these stones to become bread"), and with self-preservation ("throw yourself down. He will command his angels...they will lift you up"), and with personal pride ("all this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me").

If Adam, Eve and Jesus--the only sinless human beings to every grace this earth--were tempted, it's simplistic and arrogant to think I won't be tempted with discontentment.

This doesn't solve my problem but it does give me some comfort that I'm not the only one tempted with discontentment. I guess I'd better prepare that sermon on contentment. Listen to it on-line and see how I do!