There is no music during a musical rest, but the rest is part of the making of the music. In the melody of our life, the music is separated here and there by rests. During those rests, we foolishly believe we have come to the end of the song. God sends us times of forced leisure by allowing sickness, disappointed plans, and frustrated efforts. He brings a sudden pause in the choral hymn of our lives, and we lament that our voices must be silent. — excerpted from Streams in the Desert

Rest has a peculiar role in my life. I want it desperately. I know it’s what my soul needs. But…

Apparently, there’s an art in resting I have not yet found. I’m envious and in awe of those who seem to possess it with any kind of facility. The prospect of rest, real rest, is unnerving for me. I know rest is vastly different than laziness or its twin, procrastination. Rest is purposeful and restorative. Yet, I panic when I actually encounter it. I’m uneasy in stillness. I’m troubled by the idea that nothing is produced in rest. Rest might be the most difficult of any discipline I’ve come to know.

This week I got sick. Not terribly sick. I had a cold. I was sick enough, however, to warrant spending my day-off on the couch (Monday) and an additional day off of work (Tuesday). In both cases, I could produce nothing. I slept a lot. I drank tea. I slept more. I took my “forced leisure,” as the writer says so painfully well.

Now, I’m back. I’m at work. I’m thinking about all the great and innumerable things that have to be accomplished in the now shortened work-week. Somehow, I’m beginning to understand something:  the world still functions, people manage to live their lives, kids grow, paint dries, trees conduct photosynthesis…  despite the fact that I missed a day of work this week. Perhaps, I’m a bit less of a big deal than I’d have myself believe. Maybe some time in the distant future, I’ll stop missing the days I miss. Who knows? Maybe, I’ll even find a way to be grateful for them.

After all, God is UNLEASHING the IMPOSSIBLE.

Join us this week as we continue in our series, UNLEASH the IMPOSSIBLE. Don’t forget, we’ll also take a few moments to honor Ethan Hulse, our beloved ultra-cool hipster worship leader who is moving on from his full-time job here at Mariners. If you’ve been a part of the Mariners community for any length of time, you know two things:
1) that Ethan, with his leadership, talent, and commitment to Jesus has shaped our church worship culture indelibly and 2) that our love is often best expressed in mockery. Said better, “We mock because we care.” So, to show your love, dress a little like him. If you already fall into the same sphere of coolness as Ethan, well then, just ratchet it up a notch. Click here for some inspiration on how the “cool ones” dress.

See you Sunday,
Jeff