{BE} Resolved to REST

“There is more to life than merely increasing its speed.” – Gandhi

Tis the season for Resolution!  Teaching themes for the month of January traditionally fall within the “lose weight and get healthy” vein.  And, creative choreography typically includes a beat to the rhythm of…fly, forward, charge, go, do, conquer, stand, {be} courageous in this New Year!   For me, however, this is NOT so much my jam anymore.

I am on Year Two of an obsession with Pastor Graham Cooke’s sermon series on “Rest” and Wayne Muller’s brilliant writings on “Sabbath”.  My word for 2016 was Rest – of which most days I “would have none of it.” (Isaiah 30:15).  Old habits die hard, and perfectionists are often driven to do one more thing.

Rest in 2017 is taking different shape.  It is not so much a day of Sabbath Rest (which is important of course), but rather moments of rest woven into the fabric of each day.  Creation, as evidenced by the seasons, is an ongoing story of new {be}ginnings.

Inspired by Muller’s writings on the subject of God’s creation:

“All of life arises and falls away in this beautiful, fruitful rhythm.  In the book of Exodus, we read, “In six days God made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day God rested, and was refreshed.”  Here, the word refreshed ”vaiynafesh”, literally means “and God exhaled.“  The creation of the world was like the life-quickening inhale; the Sabbath is the exhale.  Thus, all creation moves with the rhythm of the inhale and exhale.  Without the Sabbath (without REST), the life-giving inhale is impossible.”

My desire is only to present what I am learning.  I have by no means mastered this concept…in fact, I am certain I am just skimming the surface.  I am inviting the Beyond Yoga community to listen to this rhythm with me.  I am praying that your Father God will awaken, enlarge, and strengthen your spirit with HIS message of REST for you.  I believe we are a people aching for rest – not just for physical rest, but for the mental, emotional, and spiritual nourishment that rest brings.  Muller writes, “Once people feel nourished and refreshed, they cannot help but be kind; just so, the world aches for the generosity of a well-rested people.”

Let us all Resolve to Rest in 2017!

Keleah