One Life

I’m just on my way back from Manchester after attending a conference run by the EA (not as in “EA Sports, it’s in the game”, but the Evangelical alliance). It was a great 24 hours talking with other organisations and Leaders from churches about how we can reach the 20-30’s age group more effectively. It was probably the best accommodation that I’ve stayed in for such a conference. I was quite excited about this when I saw the pictures on the Internet – and so I let the rest of the guys in the office know how nice it looked to. Yanah sent me a txt before I left and challenged me to write a blog entitled “ the delights of hotels” on my way back home. I love a challenge, so needless to say I have opened my laptop on this busy Virgin train amongst a colourful audience and have began writing something that I’m hoping might be of some use to someone out there.

I have many happy hotel memories growing up – mum and dad would every so often take us away to a nice hotel for a family weekend break. Me and my sister would excitedly get to our destination and begin all these novel activities of being all “grown up” and very sophisticated. I mean, you could make your own cups of tea in your room, fill in your breakfast requirements for the following morning and hang them on the outside of your door along with the “do not disturb” sign. You could explore the depths of the mini-bar, although it was foolish to consume any of its contents as that might cost Dad several weeks pocket money to pay for a small can of coke and a mars bar  (we always brought our own treats to stash away). Being one door down the corridor from mum and dad was, in-fact just like owning your own home. We would get dressed up for dinner and then go and knock on their door and ask if they would care to join us, merely a tactic to hurry them along from all this relaxing business. Not to mention the excitement of having “free” use the of the leisure facilities. We still always slept with a “nightlight” on though, just in case we woke up through the night in these very unfamiliar surroundings. Most grown ups use nightlights though, don’t they?!

As I have been recalling these fond memories, I am again reminded how important rest is. We all love to buy into the culture of “busyness” that surrounds us. When you ask people how they are or what they are up to you’ll often hear a phrase like “I’m pretty busy at the moment” resound in your ears. Why is it that we all love being busy? What’s so attractive about that? Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great to be a hard worker and diligent with the responsibilities that we have. But on the other hand if we are constantly busy we become ineffective and eventually burn out. And that is no good to anyone. The antidote to the busy bug is remedy of rest; it’s not rocket science. Let’s take the time as leaders to book in our holidays, work hard and rest hard. God did it, we want to be like him, so let’s all find time to rest and let’s stop being so busy and be secure in who we are and enjoy a greater sense of balance when it comes to work and rest. A little less “doing” wouldn’t go a miss or decrease our productivity.

My little rant is over and I have accomplished my task. I’m feeling a little sick because I’m facing backwards on this fast moving, horizon changing train that glides along at the most peculiar angles. So I think I better leave it there, shut my laptop and try and focus on the horizon!!  Until next time… Macca