Panshanger Church

Dear Friends

I’m going to give some advice! You might not find it easy (I don’t)
During lent why not do…………………..nothing! Yes that is really what I’ve said do nothing. Simple to say, harder to do. In case you wonder that i’m asking for a national go slow, a no day week or a return to lethargy and sleep, its a little more complicated than that.

During my retreat last week I read a book from cover to cover, this in itself is a rather remarkable fact for me as I struggle to get through one newspaper a week. Having said that it only had 96 pages and there was time and no distractions in which to read, sleep, pray and ponder.

The book is written by Stephen Cottrell and is called ‘Do Nothing to Change Your Life: Discovering What Happens When You Stop.’ The following gives you a flavour of what the book covers.

When was the last time you had a real day off? Ditched the ‘to do’ lists. Switched off the phone. Had a lie-in. Sat in the bath until the water went cold? Most of us live at break-neck speed. Busy lives - work, family, friends, endless tasks - leave us with little time to sleep, never mind stopping and reflecting. We urgently need to stop imagining everything is so urgent. We need to learn to nurture our inner slob. In this generous, life-affirming book, full of practical wisdom, Stephen Cottrell invites us to slow down and stop…and breathe. This work contains 12 chapters: tackling the difficult business of stopping, through to where God fits in, and offering a beginners guide to sitting still! Start an adventure of self-discovery, play and renewed creativity that will improve the way you see life and help you catch a glimpse of God.

My life is driven by tasks, agendas, lists, meetings and the joys and demands of God’s family here. This book was written for me, but I guess I’m not alone that things have been rather out of control. As we journey through our sermon series on work there has been a consistent theme of the need to recognise Godly balance and direction in our lives, working, resting and playing. Through it all worshipping God with our daily lives and using the time, treasure and talents he’s given us to honour him.

I shared recently in church the story of a busy minister colleague of mine who recalled a time when he asked his son what he would like for his 14th birthday. His son replied that what he’s really like, his dad couldn’t provide. Thinking that it was very expensive the father promised he’d do his best to get the present that his son so dearly wanted, despite his meagre salary. The son replied that the thing he’d really like on his birthday was too much to ask his dad for. After some time eventually the dad got his son to say what he wanted.

“Dad I want to spend the day with you.”

My work driven friend burst into tears as he told me this story that had happened many years ago. Are we missing out on what God has called us to be and do (possibly nothing) due to our lifestyle?

Coupled with this I badly sprained my ankle twice in a fortnight so for the last month I haven’t been able to run. This is the longest break in my running career in 30 years, slowing down isn’t easy but there is time to see, think and pray through the slower pace of life, that is the pace that we possibly avoid but need to embrace. Not just more often but for life. Time with God is never wasted or regretted, this Lent explore the wonder of a deepening relationship with him. Tell me and others how you got on doing nothing!

With Love and Prayers

Simon

“In returning and rest you shall be saved.” - Isaiah 30.15.