by Susan Lyttek @SusanLyttek
Today, as this posts, is my birthday.
As with most of us, even if I vow not to, I compare the current me to the me of a year ago. Did I accomplish what I planned? (absolutely never) Did I grow closer to God and family? (almost always) Do I like the person I’m becoming? (never quite sure)
I have the added benefit of being born near the new year, so I get to spend a bit of concentrated introspection time. On top of all of that, I came to faith my birthday week. This year is now 40 years since I decided I needed Jesus to be Lord instead of me.
A decision I need to re-choose every day.
Often, I want my way instead of His way. Or I procrastinate on what I know He would have me do until I can’t sleep because of the stress of looming deadlines. Or I expect too much of 24 hours. That is especially true when I have spent many days in avoidance mode baking, doing household chores, reading, and playing games instead of writing. None of those are evil activities, but they are sin when I know I’m supposed to be doing something else. But equally, I can push myself with writing a story or article that I want done when I distinctly feel God’s leading to talk with a friend or spend time in prayer. The battle of how to spend the moments God has given to me, to each of us, is a daily one that I often feel I am losing. I echo the apostle Paul “oh what a wretched person I am (Romans 7:24)” when I see that, yet again, I have not used the day in submission to the Holy Spirit. Yet again, I have chosen myself over God.
But then, there are times like the cusp of the year when we look back and see His hand upon the recent days. He knows we struggle in this fallen world and gives us glimpses of how He has worked in us and through us.
As writers, we can be driven, and if I might add, a bit obsessed with our calling. Therefore, I’m asking you all to celebrate my birthday with me and REST.
R is for the word Rest. Obvious, but necessary. From the beginning, God created a cycle of six days of work and one day of Rest. But even those days of work are not sixteen hours of work and eight hours of sleep. As one pastor of mine used to say, God wired us to be turtles and we try to live like rabbits. Slow and steady is more productive than burning yourself out.
E represents Expect. We need to expect God to be God. When we look back on the day or the year for God’s hand instead of our accomplishments, we will see that He has done great things and His kingdom is still coming.
S means Stay. Staying in God’s presence is its own kind of rest. Jesus told us that his yoke or work for us is easy. Staying in contact with our Lord and mindful of both His call on our lives and the limits created within our bodily forms and mind allows us to live expectantly, but not excessively.
T stands for Trust. Easier said than done, I know. But to live in rest we need to trust that God knows us, He has purposes for us, and that He loves us even when we accomplish nothing. In this check-the-to-do-list world, it’s sometimes hard to imagine that the God we serve is happy when we choose to simply be in His presence.
Join with me this year and REST in your writing… and in yourself.
Author of the Portal Watchers YA fantasy adventures, Susan Lyttek loves to encourage readers and writers on her blog at sajlyttek.com. Some of her favorite things include going to the gym with her hubby, cruising open highways in her 5-speed manual Subaru, and trying new recipes out on unsuspecting guests.
Comments 21
A beautifully inspiring post. Thank you, Susan. And Happy Birthday, both your natural and your supernatural! 🙂
Thank you!
Thank you for this post Susan. And Happy Birthday! 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
Your message was so well written and meaningful. Thank you. I needed that.
I needed it, too. That’s why I wrote it. But I’m glad it met you today.
A nice post, Susan. I like the turtle idea. I hope you have a Happy Birthday!
Not sure which pastor or how many years ago I heard that idea about turtle vs. rabbit, but it has stuck with me. Thanks for reading and for the birthday wishes!
Happy birthday, Susan. Thank you for the encouraging post.
Thanks for reading and for the birthday wishes!
Happy Birthday, Susan! Enjoy your needed r-e-s-t!
Thank you!
Inspiring post, Susan! Love the honesty. Enjoy your birthday!!
I do try to be true to life whenever I write and I’m glad it touched you. Thanks for the birthday wishes!
A wise and wonderful post, Susan. Happy Birthday(s) to you!
Thank you, Jean. It always means a lot to have you read my posts!
Yes, we try to live like rabbits. Silly us! Great post, Susan!
Thank you! I do wish I would watch the turtles plod along instead of the pretend rabbits headed for burnout. Crazy what motivates us.
Thank you, Susan! Beautiful reminder and one I needed today. Happy Birthday!!
What an inspiring and encouraging post. Thanks for sharing, and Happy Birthday!
Thank you for these insightful thoughts. I relate in every way, even my birthday is in December so I do a lot of reflecting at the end of the year, especially this year, since it was a big one. Happy Birthday.