*Photo: Elliot with his Spanish family from left to right: Christian, Charo, and Noemi. Silly stickers and title courtesy of Noemi (see below for more info).
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I know it’s been a while since I checked in with you all. I have been really busy, which is a good thing in some ways and in other ways not. It has been a good thing because I have been learning Spanish super-fast and serving at my church more and more, but the downside of this, however, is that I have had some difficulties keeping a good rhythm when it comes to time in the Word (personal time in my first language) and time to just be alone with the Lord. It’s tough a lot of times! Lets talk about that…
For this blog I wanted to share a few thoughts about something that I have noticed in everywhere I have been in the world. It varies across cultures, but nevertheless has left its mark, for better or for worse, on every culture around the world. I’m talking about the busy life. The rushed life. This blog is a little different that my previous blogs, and part of the reason for that is because it is more of an launching point for further thought and reflection. Keep in mind that I am still thinking through all of this, so I don’t want it to sound like I am trying to lecture about something on which I am an expert. That is far from the truth. But the scripture and certain pastor/authors have offer some really good insight into this. If this gets your noodle dancing, leave a comment at the bottom of the page. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
The Busy Life and Self Care
I am currently in the middle of (and should be finished with by now) a book that I am reading as part of my discipleship training with Avance España called God in My Everything by Ken Shigematsu (2013), a pastor in Vancouver, British Columbia. With much experience studying the daily rhythms of monks in the early monasteries, Shigematsu brilliantly applies the principles of their intentional, deliberately devoted lives to the modern, faster paced life that many of us live today. Today, due to a number of factors, the world in large is experiencing some of the most productive and overly-busy times that it has ever seen. This calls for more and more intentional use of our time in order to take care of ourselves and the ones we love. An important tool that Shigematsu offers to tackle the task of being more intentional with our time is the “rule of life.” Shigematsu defines a monastic rule of life as “a rhythm of practice that empowers us to live well and grow more like Jesus by helping us experience God in everything” (p.18).
Did you catch that last part? The goal is to live well and grow more like Jesus by experiencing God in everything. If that isn’t our goal as followers of Jesus, then maybe we need to rethink some things. Shigematsu’s book, among other things, helps to establish what is most important in the different areas of our lives by relating, restoring, and reaching out through our relationship with our creator. I don’t have nearly enough space to write everything that I am learning through this book, but the main thing I have been taking away so far is this:
We can relate to the Lord, restore ourselves, and reach out to others in almost all that we do. And part of doing that well is setting our priorities straight and giving ourselves permission to let the Lord sustain us how He has always intended to. We need to take time for friendships (real friendships, not just people we can say we “minister to”), family time, and also play. Yes, play!
The most frequent advice that I have been given since moving to Spain and learning a second language is to “go easy” on myself. I’m honestly sick of hearing this now, but it is really the best thing for me to hear. Growing up in America and spending my early adult years in the US Army, I know how to push myself. Like, to the limit. But what I am learning is that pushing ourselves every moment of every day is not a life that is sustainable. Nor is it a life that the Lord intended for man to live. God, even God rested after He created the earth (Genesis 2). Right now, if I push myself to study Spanish and attend every church prayer gathering, ministry, and outreach event I would burn out quickly.
God Models for Us an Intentional Life
Jesus spent lots of time alone with His father and taking care of Himself. At the same time, we have many accounts of His robust and wildly successful ministry, through which He called thousands to repent and turn to the Father of Heaven. But how often do we talk about how well Jesus rested (like when he was found sleeping below deck on the boat in the middle of a storm-Mark 4:38)? How much He took advantage of opportunities to enjoy life (like attending a wedding and dinner parties in the midst of full-time ministry- Matt. 22; John 2). Jesus enjoyed life to the fullest and squeezed every last bit of juicy goodness out of it that He could. Part of that, we can see, was resting when it was needed.
Even with his resurrected body, Jesus took time to eat and spend time with His disciples (Luke 24:36–43; Acts 1:3). Yes, we know that Jesus often did things that were way more intentional that we can even fathom (and to this day Bible scholars are still making connections between Old testament prophesy and the actions/words of Jesus), but can we doubt that He actually wanted to spend time with His disciples? ...That they were His friends? Read this slowly: Do we believe that God actually wants to spend time with us? Like, forever, non-stop? For an eternity? That He calls us His friends?
We spend time with our friends- or at least we try to… The time we have is sacred. What is most important in your life?
Psalm 73: 23-26
Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
* More on the photo: “Femilia” is a play on words by Noemi, a dear friend of my host family and increasingly more of a little sister to me. “Fe” meaning faith in Spanish and “familia” meaning family come together to make "femilia." Because we come from different different families by blood but are a family in Christ because of the unity that He brings in the life and His Holy spirit He gives
** To support this ministry through financial contribution please see the green link on this page: "Support This Ministry"
*** For More information on my specific assignment, see the following link to Avance España: https://gocorps.org/tracks/placements/n/9087556?platform=hootsuite