Finding Rest in the Rat Race

• Over the past two and a half years since becoming a mom, I have often felt like I am running a race. I run and run but don’t really know where I’m going. Sometimes it seems like I am running in circles...or like I’m slogging through mud or tripping over rocks. Yes, there have been times where the road evens out for a little, but then I hit another roadblock. It can be exhausting, this race. I have felt weary, discouraged and alone. I have questioned God, wondering why He would choose such a difficult road for me. I worry a lot and often find myself trying to fix things in my own strength. I want to be in control of my life and my future.

  So REST? It is hard for me.

  But slowly, in this journey that is motherhood, I am learning the beauty of His grace. I am finding joy—true joy—that comes only from Him. I am full of gratitude for my daughters, both so wonderfully made. I am learning that love requires sacrifice, and this sacrifice brings fullness. I am starting to see that maybe one reason He allows us (or our children) to suffer is so that He can draw us closer to Him. He gently reminds us that this world is not our home. And the walls that were once built up around my heart are slowly crumbling, leaving me softened and more receptive to His voice.

  God is everywhere, I just need to stop running long enough to look for Him. He’s right in the middle of it all...He knows about the hurt from the past, the worry about the future, and the chaos that is so often the present. He cares about all of it. When we let Him invade all the spaces of our lives and our hearts, He does things we never would have dreamed possible. He makes beautiful things out of the dust, tapestries out of our stretched-thin threads. He weaves them all together. And He is GOOD.

  So in that knowledge, I will keep running this race with eyes focused on Jesus, regardless of whether it’s uphill or downhill, straight or winding, flat or full of potholes. I want to run it with acceptance that this is the path He has me on and that it perfect for me, even if it’s not what I envisioned my life looking like. We only get one life and I want to be used up when I cross the finish line.

  I am learning that it is okay to be running without really knowing where we are going, because God shows us the way. He doesn’t light up the whole path, but He always provides enough light so that we can see the next step. He doesn’t promise us an easy life. But in Him, we can find rest. His spirit is alive—working deeply and gently within us, helping us learn the unforced rhythms of Grace.

  John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

  Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

  written by: Christina Felten

The danger of a single story

It seems fitting to share this TED talk today in light of the message Wes shared Sunday morning examining the themes of presumption and judgment.  

Chimamanda Adichie is a novelist and she speaks compellingly about how we are quick to understand others through the narrow lens of a single story. As the website explains, she 'warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.'

Click to listen: The danger of a single story by Chimamanda Adichie

Matthew 7:1-5

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

submitted by: Steph Vander Lugt

Laughter is a taste of the eternal

Meet Jenn Jamsky.  She's the Administrative Assistant to the Pastoral Staff at Warehouse, but you might also recognize her as one of the hilarious, rapping and dancing cheerleaders from the women's retreat.  She's part of Improv Charlotte, the comedy troupe performing tomorrow night at En Route.  This week Jenn took the time to introduce us to Improv Charlotte and share a bit about her funny, creative, brilliant self.  

Tell us about the mission of Improv Charlotte, and how did you first get involved?

The mission of Improv Charlotte is to serve our community through comedy. We want to use our comedic gifts to make a real difference in the community, so to that effect, we give 100% of our proceeds to local charities. To date, we've raised over $8,000 for various charities around Charlotte, including Speak Up, A Child's Place, and Crisis Assistance. The troupe started in 2006, and I joined in 2008. I've been doing improv since I was a teenager, however.

How old were you when you first realized you were funny?  What was that like?

I honestly don't remember a specific moment where I realized I was funny. In the words of the great 21st century theologian Lady Gaga, I believe I was "born this way." I always remember making my classmates and family laugh. A couple of instances stick out: I would add written commentary to my Berestain Bears books to amuse whomever might read them next, and in second grade I told an improvised story (loosely based on the underwater sequence in Bedknobs & Broomsticks) to the class that lasted so long we missed recess. But all the kids were happy missing recess because they loved my story so much - that's probably one of my happiest and proudest childhood memories. 

Something you'd like to invent...

I'd like to invent a time machine, as long as inventing one wouldn't create a rip in the space-time continuum. I'm fascinated by history and would love to experience it firsthand, especially 1940s London, 1790s Paris, and 1970s NYC. But I'm sure I'd be disabused of any romantic notions of time travel as soon as I had to empty a chamberpot or got accused of witchcraft.

Something you'd like to ban...

This is a hard question, because there is SO MUCH I WOULD LIKE TO BAN. I'd make a great dictator. If I had to pick one thing for today, however, it would be car-horn-honking in songs. You know how sometimes in the background of songs, there will be a car horn beep? Really, it's a thing, I promise. Anyway, when I'm driving and a song like that comes on the radio, it always freaks me out because I think someone is honking at me. It is not cool. When my revolution comes, there will be no more honking in songs or radio ads.

Something you can't live without...

I feel like I should say love or something else really powerful, but honestly I freak out if I can't find my phone. How will I know the weather, or the time, or what's happening on Instagram without my phone?!?

Who are the individuals or comedy teams you count among your influences?

I'm blessed in that I've had so many influences over the years. My mom, grandmother, and great-grandfather are all really funny people. (I never met my great-grandfather, but I did get to know him through letters and little comics he would draw, and he was hilarious). The Kids in the Hall, a sketch group from Toronto, were hugely influential for me as a teen. Tina Fey is my hero - she's made so many great comedic strides for women and comedy in general. One of my dearest friends, Rasheeda, is also a huge influence on me. She's the funniest person I know and currently does comedy in Chicago. 

What comedic movies or television shows do you love?

Right now is a great time for TV comedies. I adore 30 Rock and also really enjoy Community, Parks & Rec, and Modern Family. I love older comedic movies, the kind with more dialogue and character development instead of gags, like Tootsie or Bringing Up Baby. My favorite film is The Royal Tenenbaums, which is darkly funny, and I find something new to laugh about every time I watch it.

What does comedy reveal about God's character?

God wants us to be joyful and free, and genuine laughter is about as joyful and free as one can get. I think God has an amazing sense of humor (you've seen the platypus, right?) and He wants us to experience that on earth - there is something healing and redemptive about looking at things through the lens of humor. It lifts a weight off of us that we were never meant to carry. Laughter is a taste of the eternal.

This is a theme we are examining all year long.  Are there any rhythms or practices that help you connect with Jesus?

I am so, so, so bad at spiritual disciplines. The idea of "being still" is incredibly foreign to me. I've been relaxed exactly one time in my life - when I was on a cruise for my 30th birthday and had a massage at ship's spa. So I'm just about the worst person to ask this question, but I'll try. I connect with Jesus through journaling, and deep breathing, and being present. I feel most present when I'm being creative. I think we each have something in our lives that make us feel present, without worrying about past or future, and to tap into that is a great gift.

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EN ROUTE WOMEN’S GATHERING / Wednesday July 17th / 7:00pm / Coffee Room
Jenn Jamsky and the ladies of Improv Charlotte are going to be performing for us, followed by time for games, laughter, and conversation.  We hope you will join us for an evening filled with rich laughter, and invite a friend who needs a good laugh, too. The more the merrier.

THE DETAILS
Wednesday evening, July 17th in the coffee room.
Doors open at 6:30.  Event begins at 7pm.
Childcare available upon request.  Email women@warehouse242.org to inquire.

written by: Libba Armenta

Resting Trust

"Where is your heart this morning? Is it anxious? Is there a sense that you can't hold things together well enough?"

Listen and be uplifted...a message about the deep, resting, ultimate trust we have in Christ, the giver and sustainer of life.  

Imago Dei Community >


submitted by: Libba Armenta

Summer Rest

Summer is here and lost are the rhythms of life that have been in place since last September. I had mixed feelings about the summer coming. Hopeful for more restful days, but a little nervous as the energy of my three children all day long seemed wearing. As we planned for our summer, my husband and I made the intentional choice to schedule very little. We wanted to make sure we were available to enjoy as much time as possible with my family, specifically my mother, who faces a disease incurable, fast moving, and terminal. So, here we are, June is behind us and I am full on into our “restful summer.”

Ha. Ha. Ha. Restful? I’m weary. I’m worn down. I’m easily frustrated and my patience is thin. The children whine. They grow restless. They tell me they are bored. They argue passionately with each other over things not worth much. This is hard.

As my husband and I have dabbled in trying for more rest over the past year or two and tried to create slower rhythms for Sundays and more dedicated slow family time, we have struggled. What does rest really look like? My hope is that our children learn rest better than I did and understand why our Father created us for rest, why it’s critical, and the joy from it.

I asked my spouse the other evening, “are we making the right choice? Is it worth this colossal effort?" The days are long and hard, but I have begun to notice small wonders in the midst of unscheduled time. I am beginning to recognize how God moves in the intricate, the slow, and the space. It seems like when the busy days come, there is not the energy and time put into my children learning to care for one another, choosing the other instead of themselves, and real apologies to each other. Maybe adults are the same. As we rest more and embrace a life where rest has a firm place in the rhythm of life, maybe we are more able to care for each other, see each other as God sees us, and move out of who He has created us to be. I’m hopeful. As I write this, I hear my children beginning to argue. Deep sigh.

I’m going to keep hoping. I know that more unscheduled time does not equal rest. But, it does feel like more space gives more opportunities for rest. So, I’m going for it. I’m taking lots of deep breaths and praying for the fruit of the Spirit to reign (very specifically for self control and patience). I’m hoping and praying that the hot, humid, stormy days of this summer so far encourage a slower pace for each of you and that God invades that space reminding us that He created rest and longs for us to experience real, true, deep rest.

written by: Jennifer Coggins