Good afternoon Church family,
I am in the midst of writing an assignment for my masters and it is on the subject of self care and spirituality. An important thing for pastors to reflect on because the nature of our roles can be pretty taxing mentally, physically and spiritually. In fact, most people I talk to seem to feel the same about their life journeys, it’s a constant juggle to get things done. Let’s face it, we could all use a little more time to care for ourselves, our personal needs and our spiritual journey.
One of the books I am reading at the moment is entitled An Unhurried Life: Following Jesus’ Rhythms of Work and Rest. The author unpacks Jesus way of life and found that Jesus was a person who did not hurry. Think back to John 6, the disciples left Jesus behind to cross the lake. Jesus came at His own pace. The author says that we have bought into the lie that in order to be successful we need to hurry, more things done equals more success achieved. In reality we are more likely to get burnt out.
Listen to this wonderful quote from the book: “I’ve also learned that “making things happen” isn’t as helpful as learning to respond with courage to whatever God is doing. He makes things happen, and I would be wise to choose to work with him. My hurry is what often makes the yoke of life and ministry heavier than Jesus means it to be. I find that when I am most hurried, I run past much that God is trying to show me, give me, lead me into. Hurry becomes my automatic-pilot modus operandi rather than a way to thrive in this life. I’m learning, as I watch Jesus’ unhurried way, that keeping in step with him, living with him at a walking pace, is a way to sink into and enjoy the abundant life in him that he wants me to know.”
Isn’t that marvellous! Hello my name is Laurie and I’m a hurrier! I don’t know if that is even a word;-) Are you one too? Let’s try not to be! I can see an accountability group starting up at church.
Blessings
Laurie
Rimutaka Baptist Church 