From the Chaplains
The holidays are now just a day away and I am sure that you are all tired and needing some rest. At the same time, I know that you probably have a thousand things you need to get done during these holidays so that you are ready to face the new term.
Most of you will have some sort of list, either in your head, or written down. Your list might include study, catching up on homework, assignments, exam preparation, exercise, sporting events, birthday parties and catching up with friends. Even in the holidays it often feels impossible to do all the things that we have to do, let alone fitting in some chill time to simply listen to music, or read a book just for the fun of it.
And yet rest and relaxation are really important. Our body needs time to be still. Our thoughts appreciate a rest from the many distractions of every day.
The scriptures give us many suggestions for how we might do this. Genesis 1 speaks to the idea of planning rest into your busyness by ensuring you take space once a difficult or complex task is complete. God creates for 6 days, and then God rests on the 7th. God takes time to enjoy the satisfaction of having achieved after a period of busyness. We have built this into the rhythm of our modern lives with Sunday in many cultures the day of rest.
In the Gospels we find that Jesus often takes time to rest before he begins a new stage in his journey. He does this by finding a quiet spot away from the crowds and praying. The time that Jesus takes to rest helps him to prepare and to be ready for the joys and challenges that he will face.
In the Psalms we can assume that the writers took rest when they needed to. Taking time to write, pray and sing into the chaos and confusion.
There are of course other ways we might find rest. We might plan just to rest and leave everything else for a time.
The way we seek rest is also different. Rest for you may be a busy activity that is different from your every day that inspires, entertains and helps you to think about differently for a time. Rest for you might be taking time to plan your next adventure or wondering about what the future may bring.
Whatever your rest is these holidays, I hope it is wonderful. And that you return next term refreshed and renewed to start again.
Lunchtime Groups
Reverend Danielle Hemsworth-Smith
College Chaplain