How’s your rhythm?

 

How’s your rhythm?
Rhythm is a part of God’s creation…a part of how God designed the universe.
Day and night. Sun and moon. I love to go for a walk and see the signs of changing of seasons
These natural changes help us remember and help us have time and space in our daily routine to rest, reflect, listen, rejoice and worship God. They show us how we are a part of, how we fit in to something bigger – the world around us and the plans God has for us.
Unfortunately with our 24-7 world, with our lives jammed with technology we find our connection with the created world, and often the Creator who made it, shrinking.
We expect to be able to shop, eat out, see movies whenever we want.
We don’t expect to rest ….so we don’t. Full calendars equal success and REST, REFLECTION, One-on-One time with those we love often takes a back seat to busyness

As we begin these days of Advent, even as calendars fill up with more concerts and more activities, I invite you to open your heart to God’s rhythm. A rhythm filled with rest, quiet time with those whom you love, time to appreciate the beauty God has put in the world, ways God enables you to share with another.

What could you do? You might try taking a WALK. Alone or with friends, or family. Take your dog. Go as far as is comfortable. What if you made a goal to walk a little each of these days? To open your eyes for what we call in camp language a “God Sighting.” To feel your muscles work. To make it a time of prayer. Or a time to have a good talk.

You might give yourself permission to take a NAP. Yes, take a NAP. There is biblical evidence that Jesus took naps (even in the midst of a storm) and we know God took a whole day off to nap. Even though it feels like it sometimes, everything does not rest on your shoulders. To nap can be a prayer, allowing God to hold your concerns so that you can rest.

You can LIGHT a candle. Many of us have advent wreaths with a candle to be lit for each Sunday of this time. How about lighting a candle each evening as you eat or clean up the kitchen or sit for a moment? Light a candle to send your prayers for those all around the world whose lives are filled with difficulties and challenges. Light a candle for peace. Light a candle of hope and love – and joy. Light a candle this advent.

I have to admit, sometimes rhythm and I are not friends. I can have a hard time catching the beat. The best way I’ve found to find the rhythm is to surround myself with a good group. This Advent let’s travel together as that group feeling the rhythm of Advent that God has set out for us.