The last couple days have been a blessing and a stretch. I left Monday morning for a 2 day residency retreat in Leitchfield KY at the UMC Camp (LOUCON). If you have been around me at all the last several weeks, you know that this was not something I was necessarily looking forward to. So, I reluctantly jumped in the CRV on Monday around 10 am and drove off to LOUCON. I’ve been to the camp several times, and I’ve always found this place to have a very restful vibe to it. It’s “campy” and it’s in the middle of NO-Where, but it’s a great breathing place.
While we were there we did some exploring into what was called a Personal Calling Profile. It’s really exploring different elements about how God has used all my experiences to form me into the person I am and how that releases to the ministry that I’m called to engage in. A lot of this has been done at other times in our lives and ministry as we’ve wrestled with who we are and what God has called us to do. What was different about this time was that this experience allowed us to actually write down what we believe God has done, is doing and is calling us to do into the future.
Toward the end of our time, the leader had us watch a clip from Mr. Holland’s Opus. This movie came out around 1995 and is about a music teacher and the symphony that he is both literally composing but also the one he is composing with the students he engages year in and year out. If you haven’t seen this movie – go and rent it. It’s one of those movies that is just special. Toward the end of the movie, Mr. Holland quotes (or more specifically sings) a line from a song by John Lennon. “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans”.
One of truly amazing moments about the past couple days is that I was given time to “stop making plans” and enjoy life. I was able to see what God has been doing in me, where He has guided me and helped in my forming. I was also able to miss my family – to see that when the busyness is stripped that it is these faces that I see day in and day out as truly important people to me. I was able to pause and listen to the whisper of God – to sense his direction, his conviction, his love in ways that I often miss. I even went for a hike and took pictures of a waterfall – each shot was a window into breathing space.
Last night much of the United States experienced some pretty wicked weather. Wherever you are, I hope that with the calm that we will both be able to take time to breathe and experience calm. Truthfully, on my own I’m not very good at this – I almost need a couple days like I just experienced to stop making the plans and enjoy the life I’ve been given. Take time today to breathe. Take time to hear still yourself long enough to actually see God in waterfalls, in the breeze. To hear him through the rain drops or through a piece of music. Take time to let the convicting of God’s Spirit realign your mind, heart, worries, finances, family stressors, and other pieces that could be out of whack. I pray peace for you, not just for tomorrow, but specifically for today! May you find – no, may you make time today to Breathe and know that God’s desire is that Life would happen in you, and through you and around you!
