“When you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.” ~ Victor Hugo
I was driving around with friends from out of town, when we got on the topic of stress increasing in a social media saturated lifestyle. On top of the dailiness of work, family and friends, some of us are trying to blog, tweet, Facebook, return email and phone calls.
I admitted that I had to cut down time on Twitter because “I just don’t have the bandwidth.”
My friends burst out laughing at my Silicon-Valley-ite terminology. No, my internet connection isn’t slow or on the fritz. I was talking about personal margin, in my schedule and spiritual space.
In a social media age where it seems there’s never enough time, how can we be enough?
Not Enough
One way the world tells us to deal with the stress of not-enough is: avoid it.
Two culprits in a recent article caught my eye:
The Computer
“Studies have indicated that when people are in front of a computer they often exhibit stress responses, such as increased breathing rates and tense arms and shoulders.
‘Information overload is stressful and affects you physically’…
Facebooking
‘Social networking, like any relationship, can have an impact on your emotions,’
… adding that online news bites can sometimes, inadvertently, make others feel inadequate.
The post offered some practical suggestions, like turning off the computer and logging off Facebook.
As people of faith, our focus goes beyond avoiding stress.
We pursue the opposite. We can rest.
Rest As Ambition
Rest. Doesn’t it sound so inactive?
I was surprised to find that rest is one of only three ambitions God explicitly calls out in the Bible. The other two being preaching the Gospel and pleasing God.
“…excel still more,
and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet (restful) life…” Thessalonians 4:11
The Greek word used for “quiet” is
Hesuchazo.
to rest, cease from labor
to lead a quiet life, said of those who are not running hither and thither
Looking at this passage and the definition of rest, I came to some startling discoveries:
1. Resting is as important as preaching the Gospel and pleasing God.
2. The more I’m able to enjoy rest, the more others will see God’s life (the Gospel) in me.
3. The less stressed I am, the more God smiles.
Ten Ways
I was so intrigued by the ambition to rest, I looked up verses in the Bible where rest was the root word. I found 10 ways To Make Rest An Ambition.
10 Ways To Make Rest An Ambition
1. Enjoy God in your new endeavors. That’s what Moses insisted.
“And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” ~ God Ex. 33:14
2. Enjoy a weekly day off, remembering rest is companion to productive work.
“For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.” Hebrews 4:10
3. Schedule in whitespace, to stop from daily routine, chill out… and eat.
“Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.”
(For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) ~ Jesus Mark 6:31
4. Enjoy friendships where you can be your real self and laugh.
“Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord ; refresh (rest) my heart in Christ.” ~ Paul, Philemon 1:20
5. Get together with a buddy and share the deep things going on in your life.
“I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed (rest) through you.” ~ Paul, Philemon 1:7
6. Enjoy the outdoors, soaking up nature. It brings our bodies and senses to rest.
“The whole earth is at rest and is quiet ; They break forth into shouts of joy.” Isaiah 14:7
7. Enjoy sleep. It’s a luxury that burning the candle at both ends fails to afford.
“He enters into peace; They rest in their beds, Each one who walked in his upright way.” Isaiah 57:2
8. Choose to make decisions by goodness rather than fear of the bad. Trust God to guide you with the outcome.
“Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls.” ~ God, Jer. 6:16
9. Enjoy God’s forgiveness. Keeping a short account with Him energizes.
“Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. ” Isaiah 30:15
10. Make time to spend with Jesus. Rest isn’t something we can create. It is a gift Jesus gives.]
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” ~Jesus Matt.11:28
Last, but not least, I have one final rest inducing tip to add. It’s not in the Bible, but I think it’s still a good one.
Brew a daily cup of coffee or teat. Drink slowly. Enjoy.
What’s getting in the way of rest for you?
How do you best fuel an ambition to lead a restful life?
~~~~~
This post was shared as a guest post on Kelly Sauer’s blog.
17 Comments
You know, I never realized how much of a time commitment there would be when I started blogging, twittering, and checking my Face Book page but it is time consuming. I have to say though that I’m grateful for the time spent because it’s “introduced” me to lovely people such as yourself and allows me to be inspired by your life wisdom. We do certainly need to make sure we are allowing times for rest, our “real” life, etc. I’m heading over now to check out the rest of your post. Blessings and hugs to you my friend!
.-= Kristine McGuire´s last blog ..Hey it’s a PARTY! (The Ultimate Blog Party That Is!) =-.
When I started blogging, I had to cut down time on Facebook, but it seems that I have increased my time on Twitter to promote my blog posts. Of course my friends on Facebook will read my feeds. They are my friends and family, but to get new friends via the internet you have to do some self promoting and maybe even write a special post or two for a special “linky” party. There was one I wanted to do this week, but I didn’t have anything special or significant to make a post, so I didn’t do it. Will I miss out on some new friends? Yes. Will I miss out on some pretty cool new reads? Probably. Social Media is definitely taking over my life and my kids lives, but we have to prioritize and cut out unnecessary “noise”. Is it hard? YES
.-= 50centlove´s last blog ..My First Photoshoot??? =-.
@Kristine: Hey, girl – thanks for hangin’ out with me over at Kelly’s! Fo’ sure, I’m blessed by faith friends like you who I would’ve missed out on. Social media is very powerful… It’s like taking a hungry, wild animal home as a new pet… 🙂
@50centlove: I hear ya! Given the choice between a live person and social networking, I go with the LP. Like any worthy endeavor, it enriches. I keep it on a leash, so it doesn’t bite into rest (hangin’ out, feeling free, being available) of myself, family, and in-person friends.
It is amazing how much time blogging takes — I feel I am almost always on the computer now, and I was the one who kept saying we were going to get rid of our internet access a year ago!
In some ways I feel revitalized by writing a blog, because it is the first real outside-of-Mommy/wife work I have done for quite a while. And yet… I find myself longing for the days when my life wasn’t ruled by internet time, and every book I read or experience I have doesn’t turn my thoughts to “Could I blog about this?” That mental trolling I do throughout the day when I don’t have any ideas in mind yet worries me sometimes. I need time to let my mind drift unproductively, meditatively (which is productive in real life, of course), but I don’t often get that now.
I guess I would say the stress level is higher, but so is the satisfaction.
.-= Julie Benner´s last blog .."They’re Killing An Innocent Man" =-.
@Julie: I’m a blogger, so yes — I LOVE blogging! 🙂 There’s an intrinsic amount of stress whenever we engage in producing something new (especially something as soul giving as writing!), but too much stress is counterproductive for life and creativity, if it wears into our sense of rest and relationship.
I loved your post and can identify in some ways. I love to write but I could spend all day on the computer. I’ve come to know and love so many other bloggers and I often feel like I MUST visit their blogs. But there are days when it’s just not possible.
I was very active on twitter but lately have not contributed much. I absolutely love Facebook and have even reconnected with childhood friends and relatives. The church where my parents grew up (Brooklyn, NY) has a Facebook group to help identify old church photos. It’s been a blast!
But I love to spend my morning quiet time outside on my patio. The birds sing and I have lots of quail, rabbits and even coyotes visit. I live in Phoenix so the weather is pretty moderate all year round.
Thank you for your 10 tips; loved them.
Blessings,
Debbie
PS I retweeted it and it will also go on Facebook automatically.
.-= Debbie´s last blog ..Friday Photo Flashback ~ Capri =-.
hi debbie. i just re read this comment of yours and i’m wondering if you’ve gotten to choose your favorite way of connecting… it can get very overwhelming. i feel the same way. and i choose to just focus on one. the one that feeds my soul the most. if it causes stress or takes me away from other soulful things, i’m learning to let it go. 🙂
[…] | Tags: rest, sabbath, social media, social networking Check out this slow-down-themed post by Faith Barista Bonnie Gray, guest-posting at {this} restless […]
I am so niave about blogging. I love to write and desperately want to understand the blogging thing. I facebook and twitter but there isn’t the space to be able write as much as I like. My husband thinks I spend too much time already going over emails, facebook, (in)courage and the fabulous blogs I try to keep up with.But I want my own.
“Cories Corner Cyber Cafe” where I can share my heart and maybe link up everything but I haven’t got a clue!! What’s a URL? Do I have one? I blog a little on Max Lucado Community but what I thought was the link, URL, whatever, didn’t take. I have a small amount of people following me on Twitter and Max Lucado Community but I truly don’t know what I am doing. I have a blog that is brewing in my head and I want it to be my first Cories Corner blog piece.
Maybe it’s my age. I was a Mom of three at the time when one computer filled a whole room or floor and now I am using this laptop before me. I am overwhelmed. Hey, when I was a kid, TV’s just went from black and white to color!!
Bonnie, thank you. Thanks for posting at my place, for sharing your heart. This was definitely fun, and it was neat to meet people who came to visit from your place! Thanks for challenging and inspiring with your words to actively seek rest. It has done this restless heart good. 😉
.-= Kelly Langner Sauer´s last blog ..guest: bonnie gray =-.
great post! So needed in today’s online all access society. I make it a “rule” not to touch the computer on Sundays. A complete break from email, blogging, tweets – everything! I’m not always successful but I’m trying like crazy to get away and get quiet with God!
I’m finding more joy in writing out my posts by hand – outside in peace flipping thru His Word than mindlessly typing and copying scripture!
.-= stef´s last blog ..Heading My Way To Pride =-.
@Debbie: I’m not surpised to find you have a soul sanctuary in the morning. Your writing reflects that freshness. Protect it.
@Corie: As can see, blogging is so fun, it can be over consuming. Be careful. That being said, it is rewarding, as an outlet for creativity for the writing impassioned. Here is a link that you’ll find helpful tips to begin a blog:
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/14/blogging-for-beginners-2/
@Kelly: It was fun! Thank you for the invitation – It was special to have a place to hang my hat and warm up a brew… and share some time together with everyone, new and familiar!
@Steph: Good for you! Protect that space .. and that day off! As you’re blogging grows (as it will), guard that beautiful place in you.
Thanks Bonnie,
I will take my time and do my homework before I delve right in. Thank you for caring enough to give me such an informative site to check out and for your encouragement! You Rock!!
How apparent it is that this is something so many of us are struggling to balance! Glad to know I am among good company. These ten points speak to my heart beautiful prose… every single one. For a moment I was a bit surprised at just how penetrating each point is … and then came the warm, knowing feeling. Why I am ever surprised that my Daddy’s words would bring a sense of direction, assurance… and peace?!
Bonnie, sweet lady, you bring me joy.
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Ultimate Blog Party 2010 =-.
Yes, Susan — we are in good company! 😉 I have these points printed out for myself, too.
[…] Be sure to catch the previous posts on the series Say Yes To Joy: Step 1: After The Rain: Say Yes To Joy Step 2: A Trip For Ice Cream: What Do You Really Want Step 3: Risky Business: Changing Negative Character Traits Step 4: 10 Ways To Make Rest One Ambition […]
[…] Will you dare trust me now, as I teach you to walk in joy and rest? […]