1-2 God, listen to me shout,
bend an ear to my prayer.
When I’m far from anywhere,
down to my last gasp,
I call out, “Guide me
up High Rock Mountain!”
3-5 You’ve always given me breathing room,
a place to get away from it all,
A lifetime pass to your safe-house,
an open invitation as your guest.
You’ve always taken me seriously, God,
made me welcome among those who know and love you.
Psalm 62:1-5 (The Message)
Last month, I attended the Northeast Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation as the Hospitality Coordinator. You may have noticed the flyer for the event in this newsletter. I was a member of an incredible team that worked diligently and tirelessly to put together a five-day academy of spiritual formation and growth, and I was immensely blessed to be the one who oversaw ensuring that all participants had what they needed to enjoy the academy without worry or distractions.
As part of the team, I attended the sessions, and one of my favorite moments was learning about rest, play, and soul, led by Rev. Dr. Kirk Byron Jones, also the author of the book Seven Lines. Seven Lines is exactly that, single pages of seven lines that make you think, reflect, and meditate. Much of the book’s content spoke to me in many ways. One page in particular, page 33, was a constant reminder throughout the week. The simple seven-line paragraph titled First Thing reads,
“Before responsibly
attending to
the needs of others
and noticing the sway
of the world,
take a moment, first thing,
and listen to your soul.”
I marveled in these words because in Christ, there are no coincidences, but causality, a cause and effect relationship. A hospitality coordinator welcomes and tends to others’ needs, and I have become accustomed to neglecting my own needs while caring for others. It is something that I have to work on every day. “First Thing” is a daily reminder for me, something I needed to hear and read.
We all need to find a rhythm in our lives to rest, to play, and to be (soul). In the rest, we need to be intentional in finding this holy rest that will allow us to unwind from daily worries, concerns, fatigue, and burnout. We find rest in prayer, stillness, mindfulness, and awareness in the observance of nature. In doing so, we are strengthened, renewed, and restored in our Lord.
I recall sitting on the back deck after a surgical lumpectomy during the pandemic. My thoughts and worries soon disappeared as I watched the birds bathing in the birdbath, fluttering their wings in the water, singing joyfully, and splashing water onto each other. I could not help but laugh out loud! Play reflects God’s joy in creation, it reduces stress, and honors God in so many ways!
When we connect with God daily, we learn to see ourselves as God sees us, not as others see us. Others may see us with pre-conceived ideas, impaired vision, discrimination, and bias. God sees us as beloved; we are the apple of God’s eyes hidden in the shadow of God’s wings (Psalm 17:8), fearfully and wonderfully made, knitted and hemmed with God’s very own hands, who knows our deepest thoughts and our innermost being (Psalm 139), and finds us worthy enough to die for.
The summer season is quickly approaching, and it may be a good time to practice rest, play, and being (soul). Here is a good exercise you may want to try from Kirk Byron Jones’ book, Soul Flow: Living in the Stream of Your Spiritual Power:
B. R. E. W.
Still Waters Exercise
*****
Take a few deep breaths. Relax your body. Be at ease.
Allow 1-5 minutes for each step.
B – Be Still
Imagine yourself beside peaceful waters. Sit down and be for a moment. Try
not to think about anything. Try not to remember anything.
Try not to want anything.
R – Receive Grace
See yourself rising and moving toward the water. The water is God’s grace.
Decide to wade, take a dip, or do both.
Feel God’s grace on your feet, all over your body.
E – Embrace Yourself
Come out of the water. Spot the towel on the ground.
Begin to dry yourself off. Take your time.
Before placing it back, wrap the towel around yourself and squeeze.
W- Welcome the Moment
Begin leaving the peaceful spot and
return to this moment with outstretched arms and open hands.
May your summer be blessed, prayerful, restful, playful, and soul-full!
In Christ,
Pastor Iraida