"Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength… It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less." Charles Spurgeon. . . Sometimes the best moments in life aren't filled with thrill and excitement, but rather a quiet appreciation for the simpler things. . . Today, for the first time since leaving NYC, I spent the day wandering and exploring on my own...getting lost (it's just an expression) in the winding, unfamiliar roads of Hong Kong, perusing bookstores, stumbling in and out of little (and huge) clothing stores, reading and writing (of course!) in a lovely little café, chatting with friendly strangers, strolling around in a beautiful park...Nothing really spectacular happened--nothing to amaze or impress--and yet it was somehow so freeing, so life-giving. . . . I've been thinking of one of my favorite Bible passages: “The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” 1 Kings 19:11-12 NIV. . . Just as God chose to reveal Himself to Elijah in a gentle whisper (not an earth-shattering wind or fire), God often reveals Himself to us in these small, seemingly insignificant moments of stillness and quiet...these moments of REST. The next time you feel the urge to jam-pack your schedule or write a never-ending list of to-dos, consider planning moments of Sabbath (a day or extended time of rest) in between your errands and endless responsibilities. If you have the "productive bug" like me, it might feel like a burden at first, but you won't regret it. You will not only feel refreshed and more motivated to do work; you'll finally give God the time and space (and silence) He deserves to speak and pour His love and Spirit into you. . . #week1 #day7 #adventuretime #randomreflections #sabbath #listen #forHiswhisper (at The Coffee Academics)