It's crazy how one little word can change your day, your week and even your season.
It was a little under a week ago that I was completely challenged by one of the most talked about topics in church, Rest. I was about halfway to a local café to "rest", when I fell into a slight panic.
I realized that my phone was left at home on charge. What followed was nothing short of horror, as I felt a total detachment from the world of emails, texts, phone calls and social media.
This immediately made me want to turn the car around to go pick up phone; when this internal dialogue hit me – "Aren't I purposefully getting some time away to rest, and spend time with God?"
With the advancement of innovation and the emphasis on efficiency, our generation is living in a day and age that is constantly competing for our attention physically, emotionally and spiritually. These items aren't bad in themselves; however if we're not careful the difficulty of finding time for a Selah (Pause and Consider) moment may just past us by and get the best of our spirit.
I have also realised that sometimes I get tired and worn out because I find myself working alone in my strength, rather than the strength we are designed to live within.
Jesus expected us to get tired from time-to-time and put it simply in Matthew 11 verse 28 (NIV), "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" or "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of Grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11 verse 28 - 30 (MSG)
Regardless of whether my life will ever become perfectly timed; I have personally experienced the detrimental nature that a lack of rest brings. As a result, I have decided to make rest a priority where I will get away daily (ideally, with the phone turned off) to recharge and slowdown from the inside out.
After all, my phone needs a charge when its battery is running low - what makes me think I'm any different?
Meenal Chandra is a Sydney based writer who sees the significant in rest, much like iPhones need chargers.
Meenal Chandra previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/meenal-chandra.html