Back to School

Pause

At the start of the new school year, we hit the ground running with school work and activities. But from time to time our souls need us to slow down, to take a study break, to rest, to play, to pray. Let this be one of those moments:

“Come away from rush and hurry
to the stillness of God’s peace;
from our vain ambition’s worry,
come to Christ and find release.”

Marva Dawn in “Come Away from Rush and Hurry” (1999)

Listen

Let my whole being bless the Lord! Lord my God, how fantastic you are! You are clothed in glory and grandeur! You wear light like a robe; you open the skies like a curtain. You build your lofty house on the waters; you make the clouds your chariot, going around on the wings of the wind. You make the winds your messengers; you make fire and flame your ministers. You established the earth on its foundations so that it will never ever fall.

Psalm 104:1-5

Think

It seems natural to think of God as being very serious. Most movies, songs, and even sermons paint God in a very serious way. Creating and sustaining the world is serious business! God has so much to do!

But God also finds creation to be an infinite playground.

The psalmist describes God as making the clouds a chariot and riding the wind. It sounds like the sky is God’s rollercoaster. God delights in creating. Far from being serious, this re-telling of the creation story is a joyous affair.

God works perfectly and then takes time to enjoy it. Like a master builder looking at their beautiful creation, God admires the earth—everyone and everything within it.

God delights in you.

What do you delight in? Take time to play and savor it, remembering that God created the world not only for work, but also for enjoyment.

Kyle Caudle

Pray

God of Joy, your creation sparks wonder and gladness. Spark joy within me that I may not take you or myself too seriously. Amen.

Go

Rest now in God, throughout the hurry of your day

Finding a space to pause, to pray, to play

And in that space of rest and re-creation

Remember:

You are enough

Because Christ is enough

Amen.