When I think of rest my mind wanders to the beautiful beach we enjoyed this summer in Roatan, Honduras.  Morning walks before the kids woke up, strong coffee from the bar as we watched the morning roll by.  Then out to do a few scuba dives.  After lunch - the ever inviting nap in the coolness of our air-conditioned bedroom.  Nothing to do that we didn't want to do.  No time constraints.  We even had time to read while swinging in a hammock.  As I take a deep breath in and out, I can feel the stress of my hectic day lessen as I remember our island time.  

Mark 6:30-31 tell us that Jesus must have wanted some of the very kind of rest we enjoyed.  He told his disciples, "Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile."  He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his  apostles didn't even have time to eat.  I can totally relate to that today.  Trying to juggle work, volunteering at the high school, dropping off laundry, making a football game and then a volleyball meeting, only to then rush of to make a dinner that, quite frankly, no one really liked.  I could use some rest.  And my island get away is no longer an option.  So how do you get away with Jesus and rest?  

Physical rest I am sure he approves of.  We are all so driven by schedules and deadlines and people wanting more of us than we can give at times.  We are exhausted.  But is that the kind of rest that he is inviting us to.  Rest in his word???  Yes, I love doing that.  But sometimes, be honest, doesn't reading the Bible feel like work sometimes?  Don't think me sacrilegious on this one.  I just mean, sometimes I run the other direction from what I perceive as "holy" things to do.  I don't know why.  I love God.  I love his word.   But sometimes I am too weary to even open the pages.  What I discovered several years ago has given me great comfort in times like this.  Times that some of the saints and mystics have called the Dark Night of the Soul.  When our spiritual room darkens and we slip into what I call a type of spiritual paralysis -- like the  pilot light of desire is on but the furnace just won't kick on.  I have felt like that at varying points in my life.  I believe when Jesus calls us to rest, he is calling us to rest from everything -- religiosity most of all.  What I've discovered is that I can't read my Bible enough to transform me - or pray enough to change my heart.  It's not even my job!  Transformation is the Holy Spirit's job and all he needs is my surrender and consent.  Not my Bible reading record or my lofty words.  Just my presence, my stillness, my surrender.  And that is true rest - where we do nothing more than rest in his love and grace - asking for nothing, expecting nothing, but being open to whatever work he deems necessary.  This is the ultimate trust - and the ultimate rest.  

I think Jesus gave you a suggestion.  "Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile."  Can you let go - even of the 'good' things and just sit in the quiet solitude with Jesus.  Just the two of you.  In silence and surrender.  Not uttering a word.  Give it a try.  It's life changing!

I was talking to my husband the other day trying to explain a blog.  What is it?  Why do people write them?  Are we ego maniacs thinking that anyone really cares what we have to say?  Do we have anything to say?  I guess my answer to all of these questions is "I don't know."  Not so brilliant, and certainly not so well written.  

It made me wonder why I went to all the time and expense of setting up my own website and blog.  Initially I wanted to promote my ministry, but lately my ministry has mainly been in the church, not on my own.  I am going to finish my masters degree in December of this year and am wondering what is next.  Going on to get my doctorate?  Writing?  What I really want to do is write Bible studies.  So I think I will take a break from school and try to do that.  I am trying to figure out now what topic or book the study will be about.  A matter I am commending to prayer - and would appreciate your prayers as I begin discerning.  

What topics are YOU interested in studying?  What do you want to learn from a Bible study?  Any guidance you can give me I am grateful for.  

Thanks for listening!

Linda 

I will be facilitating a contemplative retreat at Ceta Glynn November 5-7, 2010.  There will be 3 workshops throughout the weekend on Centering Prayer, Journaling as a Spiritual Pathway and Lectio Divina.  We will have yoga each morning to complement the silence of the weekend and lots of quiet time for self reflection and time with God.  I would love for you to come.  For more information please email me at Linda@Vocation101.com.  I can send you more information and a registration form.

Surrender to Silence Contemplative Retreat

November 5-7

$325

Ceta Glynn

I had an interesting writing exercise today.  What I love about timed writing is that you can’t stop and by the end of a lot of random thoughts and words and even a few rantings, something comes out that I needed to hear. 

I had to compare my writing to a gerbil on a wheel – and I realized that I avoid the wheel.  Mainly I avoid writing because I am afraid of judgment – both the judgment of others and myself.  Will my thoughts and words sound stupid?   Will others think I’m stupid?  Will I realize that I am stupid???  Writing is a scary thing.  You are putting your most private self out there for all to see – naked in a way.  Our thoughts and feelings are our most personal, intimate, real self.  Writing steps out and says, “Here I am, like me or not.”  And usually there is a “Please like me!” lurking around somewhere. 

Then I was prompted to compare my writing to an airplane instead of the gerbil’s wheel.  How would I respond differently?  Wow.  The clarity that a silly writing exercise can bring!  What I realized is that when I travel I switch to a completely different mode of operation.  I am an explorer on an expedition; an outsider; an observer.  There is no pressure to conform or to fit in; to agree or disagree – to judge in anyway.  When I travel I love to be alone and examine my thoughts and feelings.  I love the adventure of a new place and how it makes me feel alive.  I feel and experience all of my senses in a more dynamic way.  I try to be in the present and observe instead of judge.  That’s a big revelation!  I need to be present and observe my life instead of judge it.  Accept it for what it is rather than judge it for not being someone else’s idea of perfect.  Be present.  Observe.  Accept.  Good advice.