(Minister Well Newsletter, August 2018)
Brace yourself for reentry! That is, reentry into the hectic pace of “normalcy” that characterizes the school year. Our family always takes vacation the last week of summer. It is our way of squeezing every moment out of the summer before the rat race routine of fall begins. We tend to vacation places where city lights do not obscure the twinkle of the stars and our daily goal is to get dirty and sweaty playing hard in God’s creation. So you can imagine the shock that we put ourselves through every year as we make the journey home to a busy city. We trade our relaxed bodies and unhurried schedules for a tight grip on the steering wheel and a hurricane of first-week-of-school paperwork. Does this scenario sound familiar to you too?
The same franticness happens at churches, because churches generally match the activity level of families and schools. Fall launches new Sunday school classes, new sermon series, the return of familiar congregants, training volunteers, and many many meetings. Vocational ministry folks have savored having fewer services to attend and groups to lead over the summer, and they know that their schedules are about to change dramatically. Nonetheless, just like school kids look forward to seeing their classmates at the return of school despite the homework, ministry leaders love the people and look forward to everyone being together again despite the increased work. I wonder if reentry really needs to be so difficult?
What if we were intentional about preparing for delight instead of bracing for disaster?
Mind
Whatever we allow our thoughts to linger on determines our mood. As you prepare your home and work for fall, what will you choose to focus your thoughts on – the fun or the work, the delight or the disaster? Bemoaning the end of the lazy days of summer will not extend them. In fact, it will merely make us (as well as our families and co-workers) grumpy. So choosing thoughts of delight over thoughts of disaster is first and foremost practical – grumpy begets grumpy, just as happy begets happy. But it is also a spiritually supported idea – as God put it “Do all things without grumbling or questioning…” (Philippians 2:14). Try this little mental exercise – What are you looking forward to at work or in your home this fall? Now sit in that for a few minutes by imagining the sounds, sights, taste, smell, and feel of what you are excited about. No don’t keep reading yet, really take a minute to answer the question. Isn’t it fascinating how difficult it can be just to daydream? I know, you are “too busy to daydream.” Who isn’t? But, as we will see in a minute, we are so busy that we really mustlearn how to be mindful of the moment before it passes.
Body
Two reasons we must make it a priority to daydream, to relax, to breathe in the moment is that it impacts our health and the wellbeing of others. 1) A focus on the positive is literally good for your physical health. God says it this way “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). Medical science correlates laughter and a positive disposition with a longer life span, less illness, and less stress. 2) Also, you are setting an example to those around you. You do not get a choice in this, people are watching you. I remember the epiphany as a new mom; ‘no matter what you do you are setting an example for your kids.’ So who is watching and listening to you? Does your behavior and do your words emphasize delight or disaster? Do your kids think the approach of school represents the loss of the fun parents of summer? Do your co-workers or employees cringe as they jump on the negativity bandwagon with you? Try using the previous little daydreaming exercise with other people in your life. Be the person at staff meetings that brings exhausting calendar planning discussions back to a focus on the joy of serving and the excitement of going forth in His name. Rather than sneering that someone took your pew spot, warmly welcome that God is growing His church. And instead of being disappointed that you are tapped for so many tasks, marvel that God has given you tremendous gifts to share.
Spirit
All of what has been said so far is really within reason in the earthly realm. Let’s take it to the heavenly realm. God created us to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. We must not be so busy trying to glorify Him that we refuse (or forget) to get caught up in the luxury of enjoying Him. What an amazing revelation that God actually has a purpose, a use, for us. It’s incredible that He would trust us with the responsibilities, the people, the calling to minister right where we are. We were each the first player chosen in God’s sports draft! God himself bought you onto His team and you are on His first string.
Now imagine this fall that you may petition God: “give my kid a good teacher this year,” “fill the pews a little more than last year,” and “just get me through.” But our God doesn’t just find a way around, He parts seas. He doesn’t slowly restore strength to the lame man, He says pick up your mat and walk now. Our God is into showing off! His self-description in Ephesians 3:20 says He is the one “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” Far too often we ask too little. We need to be in a posture of anticipating delight. But then get this, He goes on in that same verse to say that He is the one “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Sit in that thought for a minute with me. Not only can He do infinitely more (and He actually knows the bounds of infinity) than we can think up, He also puts that same power to work in us. So as we look to the coming busyness of fall, let’s look with eyes wide with wonder for how our God will amaze us afresh in unimaginable ways. We may not feel quite up to “it,” but He is and He chooses to put us in the game.
Challenge
-Daydream about the delightful.
-Let your words and your behavior exemplify a positive perspective.
-Keep your eyes wide open to be amazed by God and His power at work within us.
Wishing you good health – mind, body, and spirit.
In Him,
Heather Clark, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist, PY 7620