After kicking off our March series this week on Whitespace:  Resotring Soul Rest, I wanted to share my first Faith Barista post on Whitespace.  We will be exploring different ways to seek whitespace, but here is one at the top of my list.

I hope you will enjoy reflecting on it today, as we continue to ruminate on soul rest…

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It was apparent from the responses that we share a common desire to break away from results oriented thinking and simply enjoy love oriented living.

But, how can we be motivated to simply rest in becoming?

An idea occurred to me as I read Break Through By Taking Breaks by Matthew May.

The article offers scientific evidence that taking down time is actually required for creativity and new thinking.

New studies show that creative revelations tend to come when the mind is engaged in an activity unrelated to the issue at hand; pressure is not conducive to recombining knowledge in new and different ways, the defining mark of creativity.

It was fascinating to learn that “putting pressure on ourselves to try and work harder, more intensely, or more quickly, may only slow down our ability to arrive at new insights.”

If this is true in the makeup of creativity in the arts, writing, and scientific invention, what would be the implications for spirituality and faith?

The necessity of whitespace isn’t just a 20th century art form. God has been calling us to the creative art of rest and renewal for generations.

“In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15

My Spiritual Whitespace

One Saturday a month, I leave the house by 7:30am in the morning. I pack my journal, pen, camera, and Bible into my backpack and head outside.

Depending on mood, I’ll go for a walk. Maybe I’ll sit on a bench or a spot on a trail. If it’s raining, I find that coffee houses early on the weekend are quiet.

There’s no goal other than breathing and enjoyment. It’s inevitable that when I place myself in quietness and beauty, my de-sensitized ears open up to God’s voice. My spirit is once again touched by His love and rest.

My absence at home is brief. Refreshed, I return to Hubby who is still in one piece with the kids. With a kiss welcome home, we spend the rest of Saturday together.

A Whitespace Invitation

It’s been a sanctuary having my Saturday morning timeout regularly scheduled on the calendar.

It’s a helpful reset button, but I must be careful to include a key ingredient, so that my unplugged time isn’t simply an exercise in external rest.

After all, we can physically unplug, but still remain emotionally unsettled, fixated on our shortcomings.

Jesus says in John 6:26-28:

“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.

The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

It’s compelling to note that the original Greek word for believe in this passage is pisteuo, which means “to place confidence in, to entrust oneself to [Jesus]”.

Inner whitespace of the heart is created when we place ourselves in God’s hands and trust that He will complete the work of renewal.

The more we spend time with Him, we learn to trust and become free to receive.

A Whitespace Challenge

I’d like to invite you to take the Whitespace Challenge sometime this month.

The Purpose: Practice enjoyment and being with God, as you are.

The Details:

1. Do something that encourages you to be at rest, avoiding activities that are performance oriented or focused on meeting expectations.

2. Choose an activity that carries the element of quietness.

3. Enjoy it with a cup of coffee or a brew of tea.

(#3 is encouraged, but not required.)

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Each person’s whitespace looks different.

How do you create whitespace?

Pull up a chair. Click to share a comment or subscribe by email.

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Today's post was originally Part 6 in the series titled, "What's New With You?".
Be sure to catch the entire series:
Introduction:  Your Best Days Are Ahead Of You
Part 1: Never Too Late To Make Room For New
Part 2:  Faith Isn't Sci-Fi:  Change Takes TIme
Part 3:  Sink or Swim, God's Love Won't Quit
Part 4:  A Faith Intervention
Part 5:  The Bloom of Becoming

If you enjoyed today's post, you may also like reading my post on Simple Pleasures:  
Baby Steps To Recapturing a Life of Joy.

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