Sometimes when I have some time off, I just want to “veg out” do nothing and not really think about anything. That is not a bad thing, I imagine we all do that. I have come to the realization, however, that I don’t feel as refreshed as I had hoped for. For me, I feel more refreshed, revived and restored – more ready to go back to work when I have a plan for my time off.
So it goes like this, I see a day that is open without a lot of commitments and I imagine what I might do with that time. I am going to wake up with a little more rest than usual. If the weather is nice I am going to have my coffee outside and read for about a half an hour from my favorite Christian author. Then I am going to look on my cell phone’s Bible verse of the day. Most days I just read it. But this day I am going to let this passage really sink in. I am going to quiet my mind and just pay attention to what I am thinking about God and what my heart is feeling in the moment. This can last for ten minutes to an hour. Sometimes I write in my journal.
So that is what I do. You will probably design something very different. The point is not how you do it but that you are being intentional about feeding your soul. I have explored this idea with many Christians, asking, “What do you do to restore your soul?” I get many different answers. When I ask, “Would you like to do more of that?” One answer is always the same. They all say, YES.
Be intentional about making an appointment with Jesus. He says, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matt. 11:28, 29 – The Message)
If you would like a resource to help you plan a significant empowerment activity, go to the following links for “My Spiritual Journey” a resource provided by the FL-GA District to empower tired and worn out Christians. Written by Rick Armstrong, Kurt Bickel and Ann Eisefeldt
Click here for the “My Spiritual Journey” an online interactive process.
Click here for a hard copy of “My Spiritual Journey.”
Kurt Bickel, Emergent Leader Trainer, has 25 years of consulting experience. He is a Certified Professional Coach with the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland (2012) He holds a Masters Degree in Human Resource Development from Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri, (1995) and is a Certified Consultant for Organization and Human Resource Development, with The University Associates, San Diego. (1991) He is a Graduate of Concordia Seward, NE (1973).