For Lent this year, I decided I'd give up a number of things - something I find helpful in my walk with God leading up to Easter. One of them is that I decided I wouldn't listen to music whenever I'm in the car. At the moment, I'm not driving around heaps, but even the bit that I am, it's amazing how much space is created by having that time with no noise.
What I've been aiming for is that when I am tempted to switch on the tunes, I do one of two things - either reaffirm my need for God is greater than my need for music, and/or take some time to acknowledge that God is there with me (something which is easy to forget).
I have been reading this blog during Lent, and was fascinated by this entry, which talks about the need to not just create space, but to replace it with something else. I agree with this, because not only can Lent be a time of preparation for Easter, a time of creating space for God, recognising our need for Him, but it also can be a time to form new habits - replacing junk with beauty, distraction with focus.
Tuesday 19 February 2008
Tuesday 12 February 2008
in and out
I've had a fair bit of spare time over the last month, so I've been going to the gym a lot more often - aiming for every weekday. It's been great, but one thing I have noticed is that I am so much more hungry now! I've been trying to eat more than I used to, yet I keep getting hungry...
While I was at the gym this morning, I started thinking about how important it is for me to up my intake, if I want to keep up this exercise routine. If I don't, all the good I do in building muscle, etc will be lost, as my body searches for food within itself (given from food intake, burning fat, etc), and if it can't find any, it'll look for other sources (muscles, etc), and all the good will be undone.
As I was thinking this, it hit me that there is a lesson to be learned there by those who are more active in ministry than others.
As we increase the frequency of our "exercise" (engaging with people, preaching, running meetings, etc, etc), are we increasing how much we are eating, too (prayer, silence, meditation, Bible reading, etc)? If not, why should we not expect our bodies (or is that our souls?) to start "eating themselves"? Soul care is important not just so that we are more productive, more efficient, or whatever, but so that we have the spiritual energy to exercise properly, and to benefit not only others, but ourselves, as we do so.
As I've written previously, doing weights is all about breaking down muscle, so that when it rebuilds, it is stronger. Without food for that rebuild process, though, it doesn't happen. So, when God calls us to step outside our comfort zone, we need to have the food there, so that our spiritual muscles can rebuild. If we don't take time in prayer, reflection, stillness, not only do we miss out on much needed rest, but also the food that will allow us to be stronger next time.
While I was at the gym this morning, I started thinking about how important it is for me to up my intake, if I want to keep up this exercise routine. If I don't, all the good I do in building muscle, etc will be lost, as my body searches for food within itself (given from food intake, burning fat, etc), and if it can't find any, it'll look for other sources (muscles, etc), and all the good will be undone.
As I was thinking this, it hit me that there is a lesson to be learned there by those who are more active in ministry than others.
As we increase the frequency of our "exercise" (engaging with people, preaching, running meetings, etc, etc), are we increasing how much we are eating, too (prayer, silence, meditation, Bible reading, etc)? If not, why should we not expect our bodies (or is that our souls?) to start "eating themselves"? Soul care is important not just so that we are more productive, more efficient, or whatever, but so that we have the spiritual energy to exercise properly, and to benefit not only others, but ourselves, as we do so.
As I've written previously, doing weights is all about breaking down muscle, so that when it rebuilds, it is stronger. Without food for that rebuild process, though, it doesn't happen. So, when God calls us to step outside our comfort zone, we need to have the food there, so that our spiritual muscles can rebuild. If we don't take time in prayer, reflection, stillness, not only do we miss out on much needed rest, but also the food that will allow us to be stronger next time.
Sunday 3 February 2008
a perfect evening
Last night, we went to "Symphony Under The Stars" - the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra playing at Elder Park. It was a magnificent night for it...
The sunset was amazing, the ASO were spot on, there was a light breeze, so it wasn't too hot, not too cold.
As the orchestra played, I wondered why more has not been written about the concept of the Church as orchestra - there are so many parallels:
As the orchestra played, I wondered why more has not been written about the concept of the Church as orchestra - there are so many parallels:
- Everyone needing to play their part
- No part more or less important than any other
- When they work together, the music is beautiful and awe-inspiring
- Sometimes it's your turn to shine, sometimes you need to allow others to step to the fore
- As you follow the conductor, things stay in synch
- There are numbers of people who are pretty much unmoved by the music (eg "I'm just here to pick up...")
- There are others who think it's all about them, not about being moved by the music of the orchestra
- There are some who simply talk and miss the whole thing
- The orchestra continues playing, in the hope that in the end, people will be moved by the music
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)