MAY with GraceWomen: the Anti-Hustle

Thoughts on knowing REST in Christ Jesus, during the month of "MAYhem".

In the dueling philosophies of boss babe culture and anti-hustle, I fall squarely on the side of less hustle. I have a fairly consistent bombardment of really exciting and energetic people compelling me with LOTS OF CAPITAL LETTERS to DREAM BIG and be a SPARKLY FIREWORK.✨🎆

Let’s be real: some of us are sparkly firework dreamers with creative aspirations a mile high, afraid of fizzing out and crashing. Some of us do.not.in.a.million.years want to be a firework, but we are still frazzled little sparklers, spinning our plates.

It is my guess that all of us — the fireworks and the quiet sparklers — are all just a little bit tired.

Somewhere along the way, we've picked up the idea that BUSYNESS is a badge of honor for God’s people. Or we’ve been carried away by our calendars, unintentionally scheduling what our western culture tells us to schedule: this commitment, that extracurricular, this event, that project. We’ve forgotten the richness of identifying with Jesus’ practice of sabbath, where we truly find ourselves before God and receive His life-giving rest.

I think it’s time to be honest with ourselves:
a full schedule does not equal a full life.

If we are to be women who know real rest in Christ Jesus and live from a place of rest (rather than thinking we have to earn it) — then I think we need some help. We need to redefine what that work+life balance is in light of what GOD has designed us to carry within the limits of our human bodies, minds, and hearts.

You might remember hearing that every command in scripture is backed by a corresponding supply of Christ’s sufficiency. This means that if God’s word instructs us to [fill in the blank], the indwelling Holy Spirit will empower us to DO that thing.

So if the scriptural invitation to us is this:

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Colossians 3:23-24

…then we can believe that the work God has truly called us to is possible, because we are empowered by His Spirit to give our best yes to Him.

I’ll be honest: I don’t believe we’ll find God’s sustaining, peaceful presence for our work when/if we continually ignore the limits of our lives or continually lack wisdom in our commitments. But I believe we can find a wild and beautiful and sustaining REST in Christ, as we yield to HIS purposes and plans for our lives (including our calendars, commitments, and extracurriculars).

If you struggle to believe that rest is for you, may we submit this wonderful flow chart from pastor and Bible teacher Jess Connolly?

[source]

We can cultivate a heart at rest with Jesus even in seasons of mayhem and busyness. But if that’s what we’re known for? Our speed and our crammed calendars and our never-ending to-do list and our hustle? Perhaps we might consider setting down some things and letting Jesus speak to us in sabbath rest.

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If you’re interested in engaging more on the formative practice of sabbath, perhaps consider these:

SABBATH REST RESOURCES:

• On the spiritual practice of sabbath, by Practicing the Way

• A series of YouTube conversations on sabbath, with PtW

• A book: Tired of Being Tired, by Jess Connolly

• A podcast episode: For All the Women Who Cannot Rest (also with Connolly)

• 5 Sabbath Rest Ideas from the Daily Grace Co.

• Free sabbath rest download resources from Saturate

• An article: Busy is Not a Badge of Honor, from Relevant Mag

• The Gift of Limitations, a YouTube convo with Chrystal Hurst + Sara Hagerty
  

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🔗 JUST FOR FUN POLL

In April we asked if you were to give up one piece of modern technology for a month, what would it be? Not surprised here…but also…a little surprised?!

You can check out this month’s poll here.

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