The 6th Lesson

6. Lightheartedness. Look for lightness. In such complexity, longsuffering, hard work, pain and stress there is a need to just let it go at times and escape. This being true, we are not called to look for Heaven on earth, but to bring Heave to earth. I struggle between trying to experience a life without sorrow and a life engaged with sorrow. It is true that in Heaven there will be no more tears, no more crying – pain will cease. Now is the time for pain – it will never happen again, so let’s embrace it before it is gone, it is our last chance to step into what God is doing 24/7. So even though I wrongly look for a complete release from pain and hard work and from being responsible to the growing needs of our broken world, it isn’t wrong to seek the place of solace, humor, laughter and laid back nothingness on a regular basis. But only to be viewed as fuel for the race ahead and not as the final destination- that is replacing Heaven and is an escapist mentality. Many work all year for their 2 to 3 to 4 weeks of vacation to go and do something special or they are waiting for retirement to not have to work anymore. Many make great sacrifices for this kind of lifestyle, but it is completely backwards. Laughter, rest, doing nothing, practicing a hobby is necessary to make it through life, but it is not the point of life. George just came back from Disney France with his grand children and from riding as many roller coasters as he possible could (one he rode 4 times straight) and this all at the age of 67. We need fun, laughter and relaxation but remember what its purpose is; it is not the purpose. A long-haul, long-term, entire life view of living for Jesus is what is required and therefore we need rest in order to make it. It needs to be regular, consistent and focused on rest. This can then give us the fuel for the second greatest commandment, to love others as we love ourselves. One cannot give what one has not first received. Sometimes we are required to arrange for the receiving. This all feeds into the greatest commandment as we steward our body and our time for Christ. Love the Lord your God with all you heart, mind, soul and strength. So take it easy once in awhile. This also requires us to discern the voice of God apart from the voice of our own sinful nature and from the devil’s voice and from the world system (which is completely antithetical to grace). Many times, God is saying rest and the rest of the crowd is saying work harder, longer and never feel like you’ve done enough and then suffer from the guilt until you start working again. This is an on-going battle and the balance is difficult. Work hard at resting right and hearing right.