Rest and Renewal
Every Monday I receive an email from the Episcopal Church Foundation titled “Ministry Tip of the Week.” I confess that at best I glance at these emails. Too often I ignore them completely. The tip on July 10, however, caught my attention: “Get closer to God by learning to rest and waste time.”
I know exactly why I noticed it. Last week I was in my “week before vacation” mode. This, of course, meant attempting to cross as many things off of my to-do list as possible, getting through as many emails in my inbox as possible and meeting with as many people as possible. It’s always a rush and a bit intense.
I found Alan Bentrup’s advice in his article, “Learning to Waste Time” helpful, though I would categorize his suggestions as “life tips” and not simply “ministry tips.” What he shared isn’t new to me, but it can easily be forgotten in the fullness of life. Here is his advice (in italics) with my practical suggestions.
Psalm 46:10 encourages us to "Be still and know that I am God." Taking the time to be still, to meditate on God's word, and to pray is important, even if only for a few minutes each day. In these moments of “wasted time” we can gain clarity, find inspiration, and deepen our relationship with God.
Looking for tools to help you find stillness? Check out Forward Movement, an Episcopal resource which offers scripture reflections and forms for daily prayer. If you’d prefer meditation, check out Calm. If meditation is new for you, Calm offers tutorials to get you started. Of course, both Forward Movement and Calm offer apps for your devices.
Slowing down invites us to invest in relationships, to “waste time” by engaging in meaningful conversations, and to be present for those we care about.
One of the things I so admire about my wife is the way she intentionally connects with friends and family. It might be a phone call, a walk, getting together for coffee, or meeting for dinner. There usually isn’t an agenda, only a desire to connect. Being present with others is what makes the difference.
One of the most well-known teachings about rest and “wasting time” comes from the Sabbath. In the book of Exodus, God instructed the Israelites to set aside one day a week for rest and worship. This sacred day was not meant for productivity but rather for rejuvenation, reflection, and restoration of our true selves. By “wasting time” and observing Sabbath, we remember that the world doesn’t revolve around us.
Sabbath is not about going to church. It’s about giving yourself time for rest and renewal. Admittedly, setting aside an entire day each week is probably too much for most of us. But how about a morning, afternoon, or evening? Or an hour? Thirty minutes? My Sabbath is Friday. It’s not an entire day of rest. But I do intentionally make time to read, bake and nap, activities I find renewing.
This week and next I’m on vacation, enjoying some extended Sabbath rest. In whatever way is possible, I pray you have found or will find the Sabbath rest you need.