Zest for Life

There is a group of women in the Hillcrest congregation who many people look up to for several reasons: they are giving, thoughtful, caring, nurturing, prayerful, active, and great listeners. To me, one of these women, in particular, is completely full of life. I stopped her yesterday for a short conversation and felt the urge to comment on this attribute of hers and my learning from her to remember to wonder at God's creation and His gift of life. She smiled her kind and gentle smile and said, "a long time ago when I was in graduate school, I had a friend who we threw a birthday party for and theme of this party was that he had such a 'zest for life.' I thought to myself, 'that's what I want:' a zest for life!" I told her, "I think you've achieved it." She smiled and said, "I think I have, too!"

I mentioned in an earlier post (squirrels) that I was attending a conference in Lubbock in which Mark Yaconelli was speaking. The theme was "Down Time" (this is also the title of Yaconelli's most recent book). I had heard Yaconelli speak before and looked forward to hearing him speak again. But something happened this time: I heard what he was saying; I got it! Last time I listened to him speak, I thought, "wow! what great ideas. I really need to do that." You see, the thing is that Mark Yaconelli doesn't necessarily provide ministers with the most 'practical' ministry related toys that are ready for you to apply to your ministry ... "on your mark, get set, DO MINISTRY WITH MY LATEST METHOD/PRODUCT, ETC.!" Yaconelli takes an entirely different approach. He encourages the youth ministers, preachers, volunteers ... everyone who hears him ... to slow down. He encourages us to slow down and take time in "holy leisure" and wonder at God's creation in nature and the humanity around us. Take the time to move at God's pace and see the hurt in the person next to you in traffic, take the time to see the joy in the girl who is celebrating her 6th birthday party in the park, take the time to see the beauty in the sunset, and take the time to grasp the importance of the times we see someone doing the right thing. The last time I heard this, I thought, "great! I need to do this: on your mark, get set ... hurry and slow down!" Wait, this is difficult! I didn't get it. So I kept adding things to my plate. I kept getting busier. And Busier. And. Busier.

The truth is I have made myself too overwhelmed to embrace this 'holy leisure.' I have made myself too busy to have this contagious 'zest for life.' I have always enjoyed nature ... the Creation account in Genesis is one of my favorite Bible stories. But I was missing something! The sunrises and sunsets here in West Texas are unbelievable! I knew that, but I realized that I do not take the time to relish the gifts that God has given us through nature each day. The truth is, typically, every morning I am awake for the sunrise. Typically, I am outside every evening during the sunset. And I have not taken the time to soak in these daily gifts from God. This morning I went to the gym with a friend of mine at 5:30. When we finished our workout about an hour later, I noticed the sun was beginning to rise so I drove home and walked to the ACU campus. Soon I found myself jogging to the newly created Labyrinth between the brand new Welcome Center and the lake on the East side of the campus. I took a seat on a bench and simply watched. The emotions I experienced were in harmony with the colors and ascent of light my eyes were seeing. It was today, that I realized I had never watched the sunrise. Oh, I have seen it ... and do nearly everyday. But I never before had taken the time to watch the sunrise. What a truly spiritual experience!

I encourage you to find the time, even if it is for a brief moment, to slow down and wonder at God's creation. Whether it is in nature, other people, God's willingness and desire for relationship with us, or whatever may drive you, find your time to have holy leisure. Remember to live with a zest for life and appreciation for the gifts of life that God has surrounded us with.