Sabbaths & Unpacking the Soul
God speaks to each of us in different ways. He may choose to speak through the Scriptures, the world around us, through other people who cross our paths.......He is certainly capable of putting thoughts into our minds as well. He is limitless, no matter how badly we might wish to rationalize the things He does.
Over the past few weeks, there has been a word that seems to follow me everywhere. It will show up in my readings. People bring it up when I talk to them, or in podcasts I've listened to. God puts it at the forefront of my mind during times of prayer.
Overflow.
This would seem a more difficult word to interpret, versus something like "rest" or "take courage", though they also would require considerable thought. So I began the task of unpacking the meaning of what He was wishing to get across to me.
You've heard that whatever is in your heart will spill out when you're shaken up. An important point to be sure. But maybe it's not just about weeding out the darkness and replacing it with light. Maybe there's a bit more?
When you're a leader, you want to make sure your people are taken care of. You empty yourself out for others, ready to fill their needs. You've stored up the good things and strive to let their outpouring become the natural reaction of your soul.
But maybe then you find yourself dried up, and you wonder why.
Jesus tells us in John 4 that whoever drinks from Him will never thirst. Maybe we have looked to Him in days gone by for provision, but have forgotten what He offers us as we're distracted by the illusion of self-reliance.
"Either you depend on yourself, or you depend upon Him," my pastor said a few weeks back. I've got it jotted down inside my Bible because I need to be consciously aware of it every day.
Effectively taking care of other's souls and encouraging them to pursue a healthy relationship with Christ requires having a healthy soul for yourself.
"...I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly," Jesus said. We were created to be overflowing with the presence, peace and power of God, not to simply dream of it.
We have been given an entire day each week as a Sabbath rest - an opportunity to devote ourselves to worship, rest and communion.
Although, perhaps like me you need to reflect on God's presence much more than once a week. For those of us who have responsibilities in the church and in partnering ministries, Sundays might not always seem restful. Some days we are more aware of our desperate need of God than others, though it is always, always there.
Barbara Duguid, the author of Extravagant Grace: God's Glory Displayed in Our Weakness was the first to introduce the concept of "mini-Sabbaths" to me.
It is important to create times of worship, meditation and rest within the week. This may look different for everyone, but the focus should be on restoring your soul through daily attempts to live before the face of God.
Just one of many things I'm trying to unpack and implement.
Over the past few weeks, there has been a word that seems to follow me everywhere. It will show up in my readings. People bring it up when I talk to them, or in podcasts I've listened to. God puts it at the forefront of my mind during times of prayer.
Overflow.
This would seem a more difficult word to interpret, versus something like "rest" or "take courage", though they also would require considerable thought. So I began the task of unpacking the meaning of what He was wishing to get across to me.
You've heard that whatever is in your heart will spill out when you're shaken up. An important point to be sure. But maybe it's not just about weeding out the darkness and replacing it with light. Maybe there's a bit more?
When you're a leader, you want to make sure your people are taken care of. You empty yourself out for others, ready to fill their needs. You've stored up the good things and strive to let their outpouring become the natural reaction of your soul.
But maybe then you find yourself dried up, and you wonder why.
Jesus tells us in John 4 that whoever drinks from Him will never thirst. Maybe we have looked to Him in days gone by for provision, but have forgotten what He offers us as we're distracted by the illusion of self-reliance.
"Either you depend on yourself, or you depend upon Him," my pastor said a few weeks back. I've got it jotted down inside my Bible because I need to be consciously aware of it every day.
Effectively taking care of other's souls and encouraging them to pursue a healthy relationship with Christ requires having a healthy soul for yourself.
"...I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly," Jesus said. We were created to be overflowing with the presence, peace and power of God, not to simply dream of it.
We have been given an entire day each week as a Sabbath rest - an opportunity to devote ourselves to worship, rest and communion.
Although, perhaps like me you need to reflect on God's presence much more than once a week. For those of us who have responsibilities in the church and in partnering ministries, Sundays might not always seem restful. Some days we are more aware of our desperate need of God than others, though it is always, always there.
Barbara Duguid, the author of Extravagant Grace: God's Glory Displayed in Our Weakness was the first to introduce the concept of "mini-Sabbaths" to me.
It is important to create times of worship, meditation and rest within the week. This may look different for everyone, but the focus should be on restoring your soul through daily attempts to live before the face of God.
Just one of many things I'm trying to unpack and implement.
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