Do you wish you could have more space in your life for God? Space for God is the name of a book on prayer and spirituality by Don Postema that God has used in my life for many years. It is also the name of my monthly and annual retreat/planning days. ReachGlobal staff are encouraged to schedule this monthly "day away with God" (DAWG) into their routine. Therefore, once per month, I take a full work day and carve out "Space for God". Tomorrow (Wednesday) I will spend a quiet day in the Club Rachel room at the Community Center. I usually spend half the time in reflective activities and half the time in planning.
My routine varies but tomorrow will look like this:
- Walk to Community Center (praying for Vlasim)
- Settle in: Arrange table, chair, books, notebooks, (listening to Casting Crowns CD)
- Lectio Divina: Read Scripture and meditate on it
- Journal: Confession and things on my mind
- Listening: Short walk in park
- Review annual goals and objectives
- Update "Key Result Areas" and objectives/Make new action steps
- Fill in Monthly Ministry Report
- Pray for ministry partners
- Pray for family
- Walk home
- Share reflections and plans with Dora and my children
Greatest Joy: Releasing guilt and worry to experience "the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension".
Greatest Challenge: Balancing quiet, reflective activities with planning activities. At different times in my life, I tend to lean towards one or the other.
Favorite Place: In the woods (when it is warm enough). There I do all reflective activities until moving inside to plan at a desk with a computer.
Favorite Reaction after telling a friend about my monthly Space for God: "I wish I could take a day off of work and sit around." (This is the same friend who has never done email, skype, nor studied past 8th grade and is sometimes not quite sure what I "do" for work ;-)
Please pray that I would use my time wisely and that the Lord would lead me.
Responses? Questions? Constructive Criticism? Post a comment or email me!
This is phenomenal. It took me so long to realize that the time I spend just 'being' with God and talking walks, 'playing' and praying, etc. is just as essential to my art and how God uses it to minister as the actual "work". That revelation was so freeing - that using my time wisely might actually look foolish to someone else (and to the do-er in me!) I have experienced all those things you talk about and also appreciate the affirming reminder of this blog. But I didn't know there was a book! I'm going to pick that up!
ReplyDeleteI love that photo by the way. Is it from the book?
I am learning that God is immensely satisfied with me and simply desires my presence with Him. There are times when that "being" with God is far more important than anything I am actually doing. Often, my endless pursuits lead me away from Him. Sometimes I think about this: If I didn't accomplish ANYTHING else in my life, God's love for me would not diminish. Furthermore, His plans would not be thwarted!
ReplyDeleteA couple of people have emailed me about the book. It is worth getting if you have a reflective side, and MORE worth getting if you struggle with slowing down and being reflective. It is very practical and starts with small, baby steps.
The picture is not from the book and I wish I could say I took it...but I can't. It comes from a paid image service, Constant Contact.