Downtime Justice or is notjusta down time us
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How Stewardship our stewardship contributes of self and to a new world renewing the spirit What was the last cause you joined? What was it that motivated So what happens when you do and do and do and your energy you to care, to get involved? and spirit are exhausted? What happens when there is literally nothing left inside you to share? Who cares for the caregiver; Sadly, many of the campaigns I see people joining these days what sustains the prophet; where do we all go for renewal? involve a high degree of self-interest: preventing something from coming into the neighbourhood, stopping a school closure, The United Church is often accused of being a “works or demanding that subsidies be maintained. But how often have denomination”—a body of believers who practise deeds of we opted to join forces with others in a cause that was greater love with little mention of the Spirit that sustains. It’s a fair than our self-interest? criticism. None of us has the time or resources to right every injustice or Try as I might—liturgy, Taizé services, walking the labyrinth, be part of every worthy movement. But we do have the time, buying one of those miniature waterfalls, long periods of silence, talent, and treasure to make some cause our own, especially devotionals, and meditation exercises—nothing seemed to give one where vulnerable people without access to power need me the renewal I was craving. My own Sabbath time came with our solidarity. Go to the local coffee shop, attend community the discovery of coffee. My high-energy, hard-driving, peoplemeetings, or read your local newspapers and become pleasing personality can literally stop and smell the coffee. informed.
Downtime is not a down time
Stewardship of self and renewing the spirit So what happens when you do and do and do and your energy and spirit are exhausted? What happens when there is literally nothing left inside you to share? Who cares for the caregiver; what sustains the prophet; where do we all go for renewal? The United Church is often accused of being a “works denomination”—a body of believers who practise deeds of love with little mention of the Spirit that sustains. It’s a fair criticism. Try as I might—liturgy, Taizé services, walking the labyrinth, buying one of those miniature waterfalls, long periods of silence, devotionals, and meditation exercises—nothing seemed to give me the renewal I was craving. My own Sabbath time came with the discovery of coffee. My high-energy, hard-driving, peoplepleasing personality can literally stop and smell the coffee.
Now everyone is different. While a spa treatment or tai chi may send me over the edge of boredom, that may be just the ticket to regenerate your spirit. Remember, the psalmist said, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Sabbath time is not just to rest between frantic actions—it is also a time to experience the presence of the Holy. Alone with the rhythm of my very fast-paced walk, I can sense I am not alone and be filled with the knowledge and peace of presence.
Written by Kevin Little for The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada, 2008. Permission is granted to photocopy for congregational use.
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Making time to listen as well as act re-creates my spirit and enlarges my purpose.
When And don’t I am truly stoptired there—expose I head to a local yourself caféto with stories a goodabout book and marginalized hide in thepeople corner.worldwide, The smell of like the people coffeeinbeans, Sudan, the people taste of in the the Middle bold black East, coffee, or fair-trade sittingcoffee on a growers. comfy sofa, You can the write quiet space, letters and for the Amnesty reflective International, reading recharge join the mylocal batteries. chapter of Stephen Lewis’s Grandmothers campaign (linking Africa with Now our continent), everyone isor different. form a cooperative While a spathat treatment buys coffee or tai at chia may fair send price.me over the edge of boredom, that may be just the ticket to regenerate your spirit. Why do those of us who seek Jesus care about such things? Remember, Because Jesus the did. psalmist Whensaid, the “Be rich still, youngand ruler know wasthat lost I and am God” confused, (Psalm Jesus 46:10). told Sabbath him to renounce time is not his just power to rest and privilege between frantic and he actions—it would be is healed. also a time Further, to experience Jesus wanted the the presence man to of the deliver Holy.some Aloneofwith his wealth the rhythm to the of my poor, very to fast-paced make a concrete walk, I can change sense forI the am not many alone whoand were be poor, filled and withtothe save knowledge the soulsand of peace the few ofwho presence. were rich. Making When asked time what to listen faithfulness as well as is all actabout, re-creates the prophet my spirit Micah and enlarges answers, my “Topurpose. do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). You can change your day with a smile, you can make one person happy with a generous deed, but you can truly change our world only when you venture out in an act of justice.
Written by Kevin Little for The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada, 2008. Permission is granted to photocopy for congregational use.
070326
When I am truly tired I head to a local café with a good book and hide in the corner. The smell of the coffee beans, the taste of the bold black coffee, sitting on a comfy sofa, the quiet space, and the reflective reading recharge my batteries.
