How to find rest in the rush and hurry this term

Wait upon the Lord

We’ve just returned from the term break, ready now for the final push towards the end of the school year. Hopefully, the term break provided an opportunity to walk at a gentler pace, intermixed with ongoing work commitments and the demands of family! Space to breathe. Time to reflect. 

These are valuable commodities in our world, as they are in stark contrast to the busyness of life. Everything is fast-paced, instant, and on-demand. Taking a moment to pause can be incredibly difficult, as we find slow, boring, and patience can feel suffocating. Yet, from the very beginning of the Bible, we see that rest is vital.

The narrative of Genesis chapters 1 and 2 tells of God reflecting upon the works of His creation, seeing that it was good, and then resting. When was the last time you filled your spirit with awe by marvelling at the creative power of our almighty God?

The psalmists write in many passages that coming before God and waiting upon Him, or being still, is a vital rhythm for life and wholeness. Look up Psalm 27:13-14, Psalm 46:10, Psalm 40, or 130! Do they stir something within?

I was blessed over the term break to spend some time away with my family, during which I found space to read! I really like reading and I have many, many books! Whilst away with the family, I managed to read two whole books. This was amazing! I purposefully unplugged from electronics and technology as best I could. Evenings were quiet (eventually!), and in that space, I read. It was cathartic. It was life-giving. It was nourishment for my soul. My mind was less cluttered. My conversations with God were more frequent and heartfelt. 

Then the halting reality arrived of being thrust back before the emails and meeting requests, the daily rhythm of life. The contrast was stark. But should it be?

Isaiah 40:28-31 says,

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Wait upon the Lord.

It’s the last term of the 2024 school year. There will be end-of-year performances, concerts, and graduations. There will be applications for subjects, classmate preferences, sporting events, final assignment completions, exams, and submissions. Christmas is in about 10 weeks. This list is not exhaustive at all! I am sure you could make it far longer!

The challenge before us? 

Will we allow busyness to rule our hearts and minds, or will we do our best to wait upon the Lord? Will we find a way and a space to be still and know He is God? Take a walk. Read a book. Unplug from the tech. Talk to that friend. Eat that meal. Turn down the noise and rest in the stillness. And as you do so, my prayer for you is that of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians, that we read in Ephesians 3:16-19:

‘I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.’

May this coming term be full of God’s blessings towards you, and may your heart and mind know the peace, comfort and joy of the Lord. May you wait upon the Lord.

Adam Wood

Director of Faith Formation & Wellbeing