Receiving Rest

I know for some of us, Summer doesn't feel that much different from Spring, except it's getting more toasty. For others, it means a well-deserved break from school, maybe a more relaxed rhythm at work. For some it means an opportunity to travel, play and relax more. It feels like no matter our age and stage in life, Summer still holds out at least the hope and possibility of some rest and renewal.

And God knows, we need it. After this year plus of pandemic living. After these years of bitter divisions and worrisome gridlock on pressing concerns. I don't know about you, but even driving these days, I feel like people are far more aggressive and hostile on the roads. It's like we're all on edge or worse. Our trust in each other and our democratic institutions has been eroding, and it’s really hard to know what, if anything, can restore our connections and confidence. Meanwhile, democracy and the life of the planet hang precariously in the balance. There’s a sense of urgency that we need to act quickly and decisively to right the ship. But how in the world do we do that, especially when we don’t all believe it’s sinking or agree on what the root causes are? These are fraught times, to say the least.

You add all that to just the garden variety fatigue that comes from trying to raise two small human beings, and I’m just plain tired. Of feeling so much. Of thinking so hard. Of trying, trying, trying to discern and do the right thing when so much feels so wrong.

There’s so much that needs tending. And there's this green light to get out there and do more. But what if we’re just exhausted?

There’s a part of me that says, Just suck it up. You don’t get the luxury of rest when there is so much suffering. If anything, you’re not doing enough. Get your act together and get back out there. Be better. Do better.

There’s also a part of me that says, Lighten up. Turn off the news. Queue up something on Netflix. Pour another glass of wine. Play some mind-numbing game on your phone. Let’s just chill.

I have to say neither of those voices feel like the voice of Love. I don’t believe in a Suck-it-up or Tune-it-all-out kind of God. I believe in a God who is intimately present in the suffering of the world, laboring constantly for healing and redemption, for love and justice. I believe in a God who also beckons us off the bleachers, off the sidelines, to get in the race, to do our part to help in the healing of the world. We are called not to just hear the cries of the world and hear God’s call to love and justice, but to DO something.

But we all know that if we don’t get enough rest, if we don’t hydrate well, there’s simply no way to stay in the race. I don’t know about you but when I get too tired, I’m not exactly bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit like gentleness, patience and self-control; quite the opposite. I get more muddled in my thinking, tend toward more bitterness and despair. This cannot be what God wants for any of us, and it’s hard to see how we’re very useful in this exhausted state.

I believe God invites us to live another way. To honor a rhythm of work and rest. To return to God daily, weekly, regularly to fill our cups so we can pour ourselves out in service. To seek and receive the spiritual rest and nourishment we need to stay healthy and stay present.

Are you weary? Yeah, me too. So what does rest, true rest look like for you?

Are you hungry? Me too. What truly nourishes your soul?

As we come into Summer, I hope and pray we can be honest with ourselves about how tired and depleted we may be. I hope we can kindly say to the Suck-it-up voice: God wants more for us, and to the Just-tune-out voice: God wants more from us. These are fraught times, there is great work to be done. But God needs healthy partners. So I hope we’ll all seek and find the rest and nourishment we need to stay in the race.

On that note, I am looking forward to a bit of respite myself. While I’ll continue to offer spiritual direction throughout the Summer, I will not be leading any groups or retreats during the month of July. I look forward to reconnecting in August, entering back into a rhythm of prayer, reflection, and community with you if you’re so inclined.

Blessings on your Summer labors and rest, service and nourishment,

Kimberly