Pancakes
We skipped church on Sunday. I don’t advocate this, but it does come in clutch for an example today. And, for the record, I listened to the sermon online. Of course, I missed so much in my absence; there is a lot to be said for gathering with a body of believers. I wrestled with the choice for a while as I sipped my coffee and prayed. My indecisive nature went back and forth with all the reasons I needed to be in church and all the reasons I needed to stay home. Ultimately, I chose to have a slow morning - with God and my family.
We hustle all week. Mike and I work several jobs and Gavin has a demanding baseball schedule. We are constantly going in different directions with very little time together. That drains me - not the hustle, but the absence of my family. After all, we aren’t meant to do life alone. So, instead of going to church where we sit in silence or split up because of serving, I chose to fill my cup with pancakes, sausage, and a conversation with my guys. It was just what I needed.
Again, I am not advocating you skip church - that would be terrible advice. I do not make it a regular practice - even with the luxury of online church (which I would argue is not the community God had in mind for us anyway). I am, however, advocating you make space for rest - and by rest, I don’t just mean sleeping in on the weekend or taking a nap after work.
But to be clear, I do love naps.
By rest, I mean slowing down the rhythm of life, recharging during busy seasons, and pursuing a relationship with the God who will refresh your soul. Rest is action, but one that will draw us close, revive our energy, and give us peace.
Burnout is a real thing. When we go hard day after day and week after week, without taking time for rest - physically and mentally, we take a risk. God modeled rest for us from the very beginning and it requires obedience on our part to walk the path he paved for us. Additionally, our lives are to be a reflection of God. We tend to be tricked into believing this simply means being kind to others. But God is also faithful, generous, joyful, content, wise, humble, and so much more. He is not a God of the hustle culture. When we flip the switch of busyness and neglect our time with him, we only reflect evidence of a person misaligned with God’s will. He will provide for every need, whether we make those sales calls on Saturday or Monday, choose overtime on Sunday, or unplug daily after 5:00 p.m. We don’t have to move and shake 24/7/365. We have to learn to rest in him.
God has a lot to teach us. We’ll learn from bible study and Sunday sermons; podcasts and formal schooling, but we will also learn in a posture of rest. When we take care of our relationship with God first, honoring the rhythm of rest he has built into our lives, we become more productive - not for groceries, car payments, and vacations, but for the kingdom. Without rest, we are just spinning our wheels, trying to make ends meet in our strength…which is weak.
My pancake breakfast was what I needed on Sunday, but it wasn’t the ultimate rest my heart desires. That rest will only come through Christ as I continue meeting with him and leaning in. God will move as we rest, so make yourself a stack of pancakes and give him room.
Where do you need to slow down and focus?
Deanna