The Importance of Resting and Refocusing

One of my favorite activities is yoga. I especially love it when I have the opportunity to go to a studio and join in on a group yoga class. Having the chance to be instructed by a trained yogi on proper alignment and posture, I have found, is a great way to increase my knowledge and skill of the practice. Last Thursday I made time in my schedule to do just that. But,  as the class progressed I noticed myself becoming increasingly frustrated with the instructor who continually led us back to child’s pose (a resting position, where you sit back on your heels and lay your body over your knees). I didn’t come to yoga to “rest” in child’s pose, I came to get in a heart raising, strength training, and balance challenging workout.  As I became more aware of my frustration and lack of patience I realized that the instructor may be leading us back to child’s pose for a reason. Furthermore I wondered why it was so hard for me to a.) trust her knowledge and instruction, and b.) allow myself the chance to rest and refocus in the position of a child. 

Why is it that it is so hard for us (or at least for me) to allow ourselves to slow down, to refocus our energy, to take notice of the world around us, and trust in the knowledge of others? In today’s world it seems as though we want everything better, stronger, faster, harder (often cheaper as well). We want the maximum results from minimal works. But, that is not logical or productive, and it often leaves us with sloppy work that is neither sustainable nor particularly fruitful. 

A few years back when I heard God calling me toward youth ministry I immediately turned to one of the best and most trusted resources of the time (and still of today), Mark DeVries’ “Sustainable Youth Ministry”. Coincidentally (or not), this is also the founder and president of Ministry Architects, a consulting group that focuses on creating successful and sustainable ministries  in congregations. In fact, the Ministry Architects are coming to the Cathedral March 3-6, to work with our children and youth ministries.  In the introduction to the book DeVries discusses the dangers of looking for and towards “just-add-water” programs. He discusses the importance of time committed to creating sustainable and successful ministries, that are not focused on one leader, but on the youth, the ministry, and most importantly the congregation in which they exist. There are no quick fixes, DeVries continually reiterates. But, what is important, DeVries states, are congregational buy-in, structure, and (most importantly) a focus on God. 

Taking time in child’s pose is important, rest may not always seem like work, but it is. It is when we take the time to rest, to listen, and to be present to the moment that we are able to encounter something larger, greater, and outside of ourselves (often the Holy Spirit). When we allow ourselves to trust others, to listen to their direction, and to follow their lead we often find new wisdom that we either didn’t know or had forgotten in the midst of our harried lives. As we prepare for the Ministry Architects to arrive in March, it will be my goal to take time to rest in God’s presence, allowing myself the space to hear the movements of the Spirit, and refocus my energy on creating sustainable ministry for a successful congregation!