Rest

This morning I’m back in the office after what seems like eons away.

Last week was Annual Conference, the yearly gathering of clergy and lay delegates from United Methodist churches throughout the Baltimore-Washington Conference. It was a good time. It was a hard time. It was packed. I am tired. Worn, is perhaps more accurate.

This past Sunday was a wonderfully packed and joyous day as we welcomed Pastor Kathy back with us, celebrated just about everything we had to celebrate (graduates, children’s ministry leaders, choir, kids going to church camp). And it was communion Sunday. And our missions team hosted a cook out and ice cream social. It was an awesome Sunday.

Yesterday, we had Trustees and Church Council. Yes, I sat in three hours of meetings, but they were Spirit-filled meetings and we did lots of good work, work and discussions about God calling us to new things and to growth.

It’s been a long stretch though, and I am still regrouping. Some days—some weeks—are like that.

One of my seminary preaching professors spoke about the importance of fallow ground in preparing a sermon. In order to have something to say, you have to not only research, write, pray, but you need it to rest. You need to step back and let the Spirit work.

All of ministry is like that sometimes.

All of life.

In the creation accounts, God is busy for 6 days, then rests. RESTS. God. God did that.

Surely we can.

Sometimes (as well it ought) that rest is the true Sabbath God commands us. Some days, it is simply taking it slow, settling back in, and being at peace with not keeping a fervent pace.

God did that.

Surely we can.

So today I try to ease back into things after not only this past week, but the previous weeks of General Conference (noteworthy for our family as Chris was away at GC for 2 weeks), and the impending summer camp season which always seems to find a way to be overwhelming even before it begins.

Rest.

Sometimes in the midst of the busiest seasons, it is both the hardest and the most vital space to make for ourselves.

Go get yourself some rest. Especially if you are sure you have no time for it. Because surely, then, you need it. Because God made you that way. Go, dear friends, find rest.