Last night, I came home from tutoring at Lee Elementary, I took my dog, Greta Bell, on a walk, and then walked back into my apartment and sat down. I didn’t turn on the TV, or pick up a book to read. I didn’t even go into the kitchen for a snack or to make dinner, even though I was really hungry. I just sat down in my comfy papasan chair to rest. About an hour later, I received a phone call, and the person calling, asked me, “What are you doing?” Embarrassed, I said, “Just sitting here, just relaxing.” Why do we always feel like we have to be “doing” something? I ask people all of the time, “What are you doing? What are you up to? What are you doing tomorrow or tonight?” Doing….
Our culture and society place incredible value on people based on what they are capable of doing. This isn’t a new concept, but by placing more value on doing than on being, we have lost our balance. The home group that I attend on Wednesdays at noon at Singing Oaks is studying Choosing Simplicity, Embracing the Benefits of a Simpler Life by Margaret Feinberg, and the discussions we have had during our meetings have revealed a deep longing for simplifying our lives. As we discuss the lessons and explore our deep longing for simplicity, it has become apparent that the most important aspects of our lives are not things, but they are our families, our friends, our community, and our faith. Our discussions also reveal that we are exhausted, frustrated, and depleted by the busyness of our lives that keep us from giving more generously of our time to family, friends, community, and most importantly, to God.
During the past year of exploring REST in our faith family of Singing Oaks, I have become convicted that even while we talk about resting in God, we do not understand rest. We understand “doing.” I have never been around so many busy people in my entire life. We do not gather together to rest, we gather together to do, and then we go somewhere else and do some more, and then we go home and do our laundry, dishes, and homework. When we stop “doing,” we don’t know what to do!
I am tired of people asking me about what I am doing. I am tired of asking people what they are doing. Instead, I want to challenge our family to ask each other where we have seen God this week. It is much easier to see God and hear God when you are not busy. Don’t be embarrassed about resting. Rest is vital for our lives and while we rest, the Lord is able to restore our energy and focus. Please meditate on Psalm 23 (NRSV) with me this week.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff-they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.”
