I’ve had some time to think about peace and tranquility lately – being as I’m on sabbatical and all. My first week of sabbatical was spent at a retreat center in Indiana (The Springs) just starting out with some quiet and debriefing and processing. When I say quiet – I mean QUIET! The cabins at The Springs are very cozy and comfortable. And they are in the middle of 150 acres of woods, in the middle of Nowhere, IN! It was very, very quiet. There was no cell phone signal or wifi, so no interruptions to the quiet. I decided monastic life was probably not for me, at least on a long-term basis. I talked to myself every once in a while just so I wouldn’t forget how to talk! (LOL!) After an initial couple hours of thinking frantically, “What am I going to do with myself for 4 days here?!?!” my spirit settled and it was quite enjoyable. Spiritual Direction is offered at The Springs by several staff members, and that is actually how I ended up there. One of the Spiritual Directors serves at my Transforming Community, so I learned of this place from her. I read several books, processed grief and loss, journaled, did a puzzle, wrote some stuff, went on walks, thought about the future, visited their prayer labyrinth, enjoyed simple meals (you bring your own food), and had lots of conversations with God. Having the framework of Spiritual Direction was really, really good. I ended my time there with a visit from a dear friend from Sierra Leone, enjoying lunch and much-needed conversation. I had other visits with some good friends I hadn’t seen for a while on either end of that retreat, so that was also a gift.
It was really easy (after a few initial panicky hours) to find peace when peace was all around me. It was like soaking in a pool of peace. The peace just sort of absorbs into you like a sponge. There were no disturbances, no crises, no interruptions. Just focused time with Jesus, listening, conversing, hearing, and being held and loved. It was the epitome of tranquility! So easy to feel in step with the Spirit. No wonder monks and nuns are so spiritual!
And then I came home.
In the one week since I came home, here is what has happened:
- I had a fire in my back yard (I started it, but it got away and tried to catch the garage, which resulted in the fire department – aaaaannd…)
- I severely sprained my ankle, resulting in a visit to the ER and a lot of discomfort and sitting down with my foot up (this resulted from falling in a hole while running with a bucket of water to put out the fire – and yes, I did end up all wet…)
- I had a tire that kept going low fixed, only to find out it wasn’t fixable and surprisingly discovering that I needed THREE new tires, which was not in my budget…
- I discovered water coming out from under my house – which I still haven’t figured out and have exactly 3 days to remedy before leaving for a month! And that ALSO isn’t in my budget.
And all that was only in 5 days! This is exactly OPPOSITE the epitome of tranquility! So – what then? I had plans for this week – none of which included wearing a boot, visiting ERs, sitting in tire repair shops, or talking with plumbers. I was going to continue journaling, and reading, and some art, and visits with friends – extending my retreat into my everyday life.
But that is really the crux, isn’t it? Peace and rest are gifts freely given by Jesus. In fact, he only offers those things to people who are in the midst of exactly not that. “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) “Peace I give to you – don’t let your hearts be troubled and afraid.” (John 14:27) “Do not be anxious, but bring your requests to God, and His peace will keep you.” (Phil. 4:6-7) It is in the very midst of these troubling times that true peace is tested and proven. Learning to have both rest and peace in the hard and chaotic places is what learning to walk in the ways of Jesus is all about.
I’m grateful for this sabbatical – both the outwardly peaceful places, and the inwardly peaceful places that are growing as I lean in. I don’t think you have to be on sabbatical to learn this though. Wherever life leads you, the same lessons can be learned. I read a quote while I was on retreat that I want to make my own. This is especially good for people (like me!) who love completing checklists and projects and calling them “done.”
“There is a rest that we can enjoy even while much remains to be done. Until the Lord returns, all completions are only provisional completions anyway.
This side of the grave, we will only ever experience things being partway done.”
Here is a great resource for leaning in to peace and rest and waiting during this Advent season. Biola University puts out these devotionals every Advent and Lent. They combine Scripture, music, art, poetry and devotional, all around a theme. This week’s theme has been that of rest and peace. Very timely! 🙂 This one, for today, Dec 14, speaks more about experiencing peace where it does not seem to naturally exist. Maybe it will encourage you as well. (And be sure to look back over the others!
http://ccca.biola.edu/advent/2019/#day-dec-14
May rest and peace be yours in Jesus,
Kim
At The Springs there are a plethora of reminders of peace and presence – Scripture (everywhere), a prayer labyrinth (this is the center of the labyrinth), a little chapel, and even a pathway through Narnia (with little statues and things to find on a scavenger hunt, ending with the stone table broken in two).
Practicing peace outwardly… and inwardly! 🙂
