The Rest Of Your LifeSample

Under a rest

Anne Lamott said, “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”

One of my friends is a hugely talented TV presenter. During the first couple of days of shooting a new series, he brought a one-man tent and sleeping bag onto set and put it in a corner of the studio. During breaks he would go in, zip up the tent and have a restorative little nap!

The creative team made a magical, miniature world for him to escape into each day. It wasn’t long before the tent sported a welcome mat, some bespoke bunting, toadstools, fairy lights, artificial grass and a whole garden of flowers and plants! 

Our rest is precious. It needs to be taken seriously and built into our days and weeks but – as this story illustrates so well – it should not be without an element of fun and creativity. 

Perhaps there is room for more deliberate, intentional rest in your busy life?

I love the pure and wonderful wisdom of what Philippians 4:13 (AMP) says:

“I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

Is there a need for more deliberate calm and quiet contentment in your week? Do you know the secret of facing life in every circumstance, feeling strengthened and empowered with inner strength and confident peace? 

Our personal worlds today are so fast-paced that we can feel as though we are constantly battling fatigue. Not perhaps from the physical labor that our ancestors dealt with, but from the mental gymnastics we endure to try and stay ahead of the game. Sometimes my body can look still, but my mind is far from it. The inner workings of my brain are pacing and racing as the “to do” list in my consciousness urgently scribbles a few more late entries.

• Today, take some time to call to mind that you can do ALL the things He has called you to do through Christ.

Prayer: 

Thank you, Jesus, that you strengthen me and bring me confident peace. Please help me to come under the banner of that restful comfort today. Amen