The Rhythm and Rest of Your Life and Work
We want the rhythms and rest of our business endeavors to be assigned and aligned by God’s purpose and plan for our lives. Then the rhythms of our work will flow by His grace and bring Him glory and honor! – Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg, http://karenbourg.com
Without the Rhythm and Rest of God in Your Life and Work, You Flounder and Falter
No Rhythm
Without God, I have no rhythm!
Remember the Disney movie, The Emperor’s New Groove? I’m always shocked by the scene where the young emperor is dancing and singing and bumps into the little old guy. He cries, “Aaah, you threw off my groove!” And one of his huge bouncer/servants exclaims, “I’m sorry, but you threw off the emperor’s groove!” and promptly throws the little old guy out the window!
On the way down, 100 stories, he whimpers, “I’m sooooory!”
I have to admit to copping an ungodly attitude when my rhythm is off! I also admit to a tendency to let the rhythm go “off” instead of taking my concerns to the Lord every time.
Only with God’s help can I stay on the path He has chosen for me and let Him order my steps!
I need to remember,
The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
No Rest
I’m not very good at resting either!
I’m a bit of a Type-A temperament, so I work hard, and I work best in batches of time. I have a tendency to burn-out if I don’t pace myself well. And I admit, I have a tendency to take on tasks God never assigned to me and that are not aligned with His purposes for me!
UGH! I’m exhausted just thinking about it!
Only with God’s help can I learn to rest in Him and be fully led by Him!
In her chapter on RHYTHM & REST from Grace Over Grind, Shae Bynes states,
In Matthew 11:28-30, the scripture says that Jesus offers us a life in Him and led by Him, in exchange for the heavy burden of guilt, shame, and religious legalism. He offers us rest for our souls and a new kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Shae Bynes. Grace Over Grind: How Grace Will Take Your Business Where Grinding Can’t .
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines rhythm as movement, fluctuation, or variation marked by the regular recurrence or natural flow of related elements
Example: the rhythms of country life
Well, I don’t know about you, but more often than not, my life and work does not feel rhythmic or “flowing!”
With the rhythm and rest of God in your life and work, you’ll learn to live and work in the unforced rhythms of His grace!
The Unforced Rhythms of Grace
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
Insert Graphic of Bible Verse Matthew 11:28-30, The Message
His Rhythm
In my life and work, rhythm only comes when I have intentionally and purposefully invited God in to my plans and steps before diving into them headfirst! I’m still learning! There is a peace and confidence in knowing that I have brought my desires and plans before Him and waited to hear clear direction from Him before beginning.
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of… Click To TweetHonestly, I have to discipline myself to seek Him first!
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
(Matthew 6:33)
Then, waiting on Him poses the greatest challenge. But waiting on Him has become the most rewarding phase as I realize His timing is better than mine. He knows me; He knows those I work for; He will direct if I will submit! In the waiting times, when I delight in His Way, He has begun to teach me to rest more completely.
The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way;…
Psalm 37:23
I’m learning to delight in his Way!
His Rest
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, in her book Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, discovered after her own period of unrest, that God’s word teaches us to rest physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, socially, sensorily, and creatively.
And His gifts of rest are even more abundant!
My journey of restorative rest began when I told one of my LPC Counseling Interns/Associates I thought I needed a rest. I had to admit I rarely rest. Even when I look and behave as one serenely rested, I can usually be compared to a duck gracefully gliding along on a smooth and glassy pond. Underneath I’m frantically and furiously paddling – and getting nowhere fast!
With the rhythm and rest of God in your life and work, you’ll learn to live and work in the unforced rhythms of His grace! Click To TweetI took her advice and went on a guided spiritual retreat or “quest” with a Texas based company, The Fellowship of the Sword. It changed me! Those 6 days and 5 nights without any link through technology, intimately hearing from the Lord, taught me to rest!
Again, rest is intentional and purposeful. I have to work toward rest. It takes effort. And the payoff is more generous than I can ever imagine when rest is from the Lord!
Even in rest, I have to allow God’s strength to be made perfect in my weakness in my life and work.
He says,
…My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Again Shae says,
Think of this scripture from a business context. If you’re tired and worn out, it means that you’re working in your own strength, versus allowing God’s strength to be made perfect in your weakness in your business. Jesus provides you with this offer… keep company with Him through your life and work, and He will be your teacher and show you how to work from rest (freely and lightly) in an unforced rhythm of grace.
Shae Bynes. Grace Over Grind: How Grace Will Take Your Business Where Grinding Can’t.
Your Turn
Challenges:
- In what areas of your business/ministry are rhythms flowing smoothly? Praise God for His direction in these areas!
- How will you take these areas of your business/ministry to the next level?
- Journal for 5 minutes asking the Lord very specific questions about your business/ministry and recording His answers!
Actions:
Read The Partner Post
Each week, Karen Lindwall-Bourg and Valerie Riese each write a post for the Community and Education Webinar. Read the Partner Post here:
- Watch our “The Rhythm and Rest of Your Life and Work” Webinar Replay” where NACWE Member Jerry McLennan talks about Essential Oils from the beginning to the end of the Bible! And Essential Oils are used today to help women find rhythm and rest. https://www.youtube.com/embed/c8G48AfO2Q0
- POST an encouragement in the ACHIEVE Coaching group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenbourgcompanies
- Join our Thursday Prayer Calls by phone via free conference calling. All Thursday 8am CST Prayer Calls can be accessed by dialing 1-712-775-8968 / conference code 620259
Blessings,
Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Numbers 6, ESV
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
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