It's Gonna Pop!!

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Can I tell you a secret?

I'm afraid of balloons!

Really. I hate them. I hate the feel of them. I hate having them close to me. And I especially hate blowing them up.

I'm afraid of the loud POP! when they are overblown. Every time I hear that exploding sound I feel like I've lost a week of my life.

Ok. This may sound extreme, but I don't like balloons!

During one of the teaching sessions at Kerith Waters, our Director took out a balloon and started to inflate it. He kept blowing it bigger, and Bigger, and BIGGER. All the while, walking closer and closer to me. The discomfort as I prepared for the balloon to POP grew and I was about to jump out of my seat.

A balloon is made to take a certain amount of pressure. Then, as soon as that limit is hit, weak points begin to form in the latex. Just a tad more pressure and the weak point fails and the ballon POPS!

The same is true of you and me.

We can actually take a lot of pressure. Just think of some of your difficulties in the past several years. I can easily remember lots of stresses over the past 5 years: the loss of a parent, the loss of a loved pet, challenges in ministry during the pandemic, staff changes, and health issues. We all know this. We're all tough and can take a lot.

I was reminded at Kerith Waters that pressure is not what causes me to POP. Pressure simply reveals the weak points in my life! As more and more pressure is blown into our lives, weak spots increase. Eventually, something will happen, or someone will say just the wrong thing, AND WE POP!!

Rhythms of rest and renewal in our life are like having a balloon where the air is let out regularly. If there isn't a lot of pressure, the latex stays strong and flexible. When a balloon is only half-full, you can push your finger deep through it and it simply bounces back.

In the Bible, we read about the pressure the Apostle Paul faced. Yet, again and again, he bounces back. Several times in his writings, Paul boasts of his joy and gladness in the ministry of preaching the Gospel. 
"Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!" - Psalm 100:2
Self-care, taking a sabbath each week, isn't selfishness, it is good stewardship. 

As I begin this Sabbatical journey for the next 4 months, I desire to strengthen the spiritual rhythms that Danielle and I have been practicing for the past few years. Regular quiet time with God daily through the Daily Office. Meaningful Sabbath keeping Friday evening to Saturday evening. Yearly Sabbath of restful vacation together. 

These spiritual practices, as the Father guides, will take the air out of the balloon, and keep the balloon bouncing back for years!

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