Rest

Through a series of scheduling anomalies, days off, days on call and a company Christmas party I have just had 6 days of nothing to do.  No work.  No work related items.  No side business duties.  Anything I did, I did because I was free to do it, not because I had to do it.

I never realized how much I needed to rest until my days off began.  I slept for 12 hours.  I never, ever, ever sleep that long.  And it was good.  I didn't realize how exhausted I was until I was able to relieve myself of all the expectations placed on me by my responsibilities in life.  Before my time off I don't think I would have said I was tired or needed a break, but that's because I couldn't see outside my circumstances.  I didn't know that there was something I was missing because I didn't know what I didn't know.

Jesus said, "Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

I don't believe He was speaking of a physical burden so much as a spiritual burden.  We all carry this burden with us, whether we know it or not. Some people have experienced this rest.  Other's have no idea they are carrying a burden.  They can't comprehend this abundant life Jesus brings because they haven't experienced it yet.  It's like a catch 22.  You won't know what it's like until you know what it's like.

This physical rest reminded me of the spiritual rest Jesus brings and I just thought I would sit back and think about it for a while.  I'm thankful that I have received it and hopeful that others will too.

Proverbs IX

Charisma attracts but character sustains.

Christian Music

If you ever said to yourself, "The Dove Awards don't have enough hard rock, screaming, or Brian Head Welch from Korn," then this is for you.

What Do I Want?

I tend to be very intentional with the things I say and do.  I won't ask how you're doing unless I sincerely want to know.  I don't buy the latest gadgets and doo-dads simply to keep up with the Jonses.  When I go to a store it is to buy something I need, not to "shop".  When I go to church, C&C, a concert, or to get groceries, I am very intentional about my reasons for going.

But life... life just seems to happen.   I can't say I've been as intentional with my life as much as I have with the things in my life.  I want to change that.  Rather than sit back and let life happen to me, I want to happen to life.

So what do I want?  That's what I asked myself.  That's the starting point.  If you don't have a goal, you'll never achieve it.  If you don't have a destination, you'll never arrive.  I've been somewhat directionless for most of my life so I took a little time to sit back and ask myself what do I really want out of life.  I made a list.  Here's what popped out of my discussion with myself.

-Family (wife and kids)
-House (with a yard for the kids and a garage for the car)
-Car
-Church (family of believers)
-God
-Fun
-No stress
-Roots in a community
-Friends
-Free Time

Good.  That's a start.  The next question is, "How"?

And that's basically where I am at right now.

The decisions I make will be to intentionally lead me in this direction.  For instance, I am fortunate enough to work in an industry that allows me to work anywhere in the world.  Without exaggeration, I could be living in Toronto, Vancouver, New York or Los Angeles within a month.  Or, if I wanted more of a change, I could go to France, Hong Kong, Australia, Antarctic or the United Arab Emirates.  However, will this help me develop roots in a community, develop friends, have a family, be stress free?  Probably not.  It would be fun but I don't think it leads to my other goals in life. So, right now, I have no plans to live with the penguins.

But that's good.  At least I can cross off "living with Penguins" from the list.  I've already narrowed my focus.

Stay tuned.  I think some other changes are on the way.