Finding Rest, Silence, and Stillness by Alan Anderson

 

In reading the InScribe blog posts for this month, we are aware of the importance of rest in our lives. A key Bible passage for the theme of rest is Matthew 11:28 which states,

 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)

 

 

A 21^st Century Rendition of Matthew 11: 28.

“Come to me, if you have time to hang out for a second or so, all you who are looking for something else to do, and I will give you a list of errands to keep you busy.”

 

As I contemplated Matthew’s words, I had to step back and ask myself if I believed this statement. There is a time in my life when I wonder if I did. The rendition I wrote of Matt. 11:28 reflects how I used to live. How about you? Can you relate?

 

Around October 1997, I experienced a period of burnout. This was like spending life in a dark tunnel groping about as a blind man in unfamiliar territory. As a bi-vocational pastor, I worked full time as a school custodian to support my family. I devoted several hours per day to my church ministry. In addition, I studied for a Master’s degree to develop my ministry skills. After a few years of this pressure, I crashed and burned.

 

Experience with burnout resulted in my decision to change where I wanted my energy to focus. I realized in this time I lost a balance between labour, rest, and God. This period of burnout provided an opportunity to continue to serve, but in another context of ministry. First, I had to rest.

 

My period of rest included separation from pastoral ministry. I carried on with my studies and my full-time employment. Through a more contemplative approach to ministry, I looked to God for direction. Here is some of what I learned at this time in my life.

 

Rest, Silence, and Stillness

If I did not come to this place of burnout, I would have missed the blessing of rest, silence, and stillness. Rest helps our bodies to slow down and relax. This physical rest helps our mind, heart, and spirit. Through rest, we can discover the gift of silence. Silence calms us from listening to the all-consuming voices of the world. Silence leads the way to an inner ability to be still. In stillness, we can listen to God. As you may already know, this is not a simple process to follow.

 

Over the years of interacting with people, I encountered many Christians who were just plain tired. Even pastor burnout is not uncommon. We can speak of rest, yet not practice it. We may use triumphant language, yet neglect to listen to God. This is a recipe for busyness without blessing.

 

Please allow yourself to at least consider these final thoughts:

• ·       Make room for rest without allowing excuses to dictate.
• ·       When others lose their peace and turn to fear, we can rest and be calm.
• ·       Embrace silence and allow this gift to hold you as well.
• ·       In stillness, we can listen to God with assurance He listens to us.

 

 

 

 

Alan lives in Deroche, B.C. with his wife, Terry. He contributed stories to Good Grief People by Angel Hope Publishing, 2017 ; Story by Story: The Power of a Writer, Unstoppable Writers Publishing, 2018, and . Alan has also written articles for FellowScript Magazine. Blog: https://scarredjoy.ca. Alan is the Provincial Rep. Liaison and BC Rep for InScribe.

 

How Does God Refresh You? By Sandi Somers

Our theme this month focuses on how profoundly we need God’s refreshment, especially when winter is still with us. We’re tired of the cold and snow. Or we’re exhausted after extended demands. Some days it seems as though our spirits are caught in a deep freeze. Our resources become depleted and we long for the warm breath of God to renew our faith and creative endeavours.

As I was preparing this blog in mid-January, much of Western Canada experienced a deep freeze when temperatures dipped to lows we hadn't seen in years. (Alberta’s record low was -47.) Even the penguins at the Calgary zoo couldn’t handle the cold weather!

Calgary in -30 weather

 I thought of the many times when life has hit me like a winter blizzard. I became overextended or exhausted with health needs, disturbed through grief, or simply downcast and anxious. I needed God’s refreshment.  

Two of our bloggers in January chose words of the year that reflected on rest and refreshment. Alan Anderson’s “Rest” resonated with many readers, judging by the number of comments he received. Pam Mytroen chose “Renewal”. How much she needed God to breathe His life into her and renew her mind, body and spirit! Her renewal is not a search for what to do but who to be. (Both these blogs are worth a wonderful reread!)

What does God say to us during these times? God knows we don't have unlimited resources. He knows we need respite, even when we don’t always realize how critical our need is until we're totally worn out. He comes to us with the gentle touch of Himself, like the welcome Chinook winds blowing into Southern Alberta.

In January, within four days of our frigid weather, Chinook winds wafted over the Rocky Mountains, bringing above freezing temperatures. We shed our heaviest coats and mitts, came out of hibernation, visited neighbours, caught up with our shopping, and said how glad we were for warm weather.

Chinook Arch cloud formation

When Chinooks arrive, I love being outside. The air from the low-pressure system carries sounds clearly. I feel as well as hear the children’s clear voices on the outdoor hockey rink, their skates swishing, their hockey sticks ringing against pucks. I hear trains in the distance the way I can’t during storm systems. I even feel the release of pressure on my body.

Like Chinooks, God refreshes our spirits. He has tenderly brought words of promise in my times of chaos. "He restores my soul”, David wrote. (Psalm 23:3). Jesus promised, "Come to me and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). God also promises: “I restore the crushed spirit” (Isaiah 57:15). “I refresh my weary inheritance” (Psalm 68:9).

God also comes with the gentle breeze of His presence. The seventeenth-century monk, Brother Lawrence, thought of God in the present moment. His example reminds me to focus my thoughts back to God in praise and gratitude, whose “mercies are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

God brings the gentle breezes of His larger purpose. We may not see this purpose until, well after the crisis, we understand it in hindsight. But we can be sure God has one. “My ways are higher than your ways,” the prophet Isaiah said (55:8-9).

God brings a gentle breeze of His perspective and balance as we reflect on His providential ordering of events. And we know that, as we receive God's strength, we will emerge with stronger faith.

~ ~ ~

God has many creative ways to bring us healing and restoration. Our writers this month will give their perspectives and counsel and will demonstrate how God inspires us to see His redemptive purposes from our winter darkness.

And you? How has God’s gentle breeze brought refreshment to you? How does God restore you, your spirits and/or your writing?

Press into the Lord and claim His peace, His renewal and healing.