Resting in God

So another week has gone past, and I’m finding myself getting more and more used to calling Norwich home.

This week has found me rushing around quite a lot. On Tuesday, I drove the two and a half hours to Uppingham School so I could see the venue for the East Mids and Anglia Summer School. I was really impressed with it, and I am really looking forward to spending the week there for our Summer School. The weather was glorious, and hopefully it will be the same when we are there in August, but I’m sure we’ll have a blast either way. After meeting with Andrew (DYO East Mids), touring the campus and houses, and meeting some of the office staff, it was time to drive the two and a half hours back to Norwich. By the time I got back, I was ready to sit down and relax in front of the TV!

After the busyness of Tuesday, you would think I’d give myself a day to recover. Think again! I was back in the office at the normal time ready to work. In the morning I was working in the office, and in the afternoon we had a visit by the Chief Secretary and his wife. This was a good visit and we had lots of delicious home made cakes for the occasion.

But the day did not end there! After I finished in the office, I jumped back in the car to drive to Bourne for a community barbeque at an outdoor swimming pool. Another long drive, but definitely worth it! The weather was beautiful, sunny and hot, and I got to meet some great young people! I was very glad that I took my swimming gear – the pool was a create way to cool off. After a swim and a (very unregulated) game of pool volleyball, the food was ready and I was able to talk with some of the families from the area. Before the end of the evening, I was granted the opportunity to present 2 girls with their own Bibles as they were leaving the children’s group. After this presentation, I headed back to Norwich; another long drive, and a very late night!

While getting out and about this week has been good, it has also been very tiring. I’ve found myself yawning a lot in the office and getting up in the morning has been difficult. This tiredness has also made it hard to motivate myself to spend time in prayer and reading my Bible. But this is the most important thing to do.

Although it has been difficult to start my quiet time, afterwards I find that my strength has been renewed, and though I may still be physically tired,  I am more alert and ready to work. This reminded me of what Jesus says in Matthew 11:28: "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest” (MSG).

Life gets busy, which can wear us down and sap our energy. That’s what life does. And when it gets busy, it is easy to let our time with God be the first thing to suffer. But this should be the last thing we lose. When we spend time with God, He renews our strength. He fills us up so we can continue and do more than we ever thought possible.

“[God] energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind.” (Isaiah 40: 29 – 31, MSG).

So next time you become busy and tired, remember to rest in God and you will find you can continue and do even more.

What do you think? Have you ever experienced God renewing you at a time of extreme tiredness? Remember, you can leave your views here, on twitter or on Facebook!

A Boundless Adventure

Hi there! My name is Rebecca (Becky) Perry and I am the new DYO for Anglia. I hope to blog once a week about what I have been doing in this role and what I have learned about myself, God, and being a Christian. Also, after special events, like EMASS or Youth Councils, I will try and do a special blog to review what we did! This is the first time I have blogged, so this is an adventure already. Anyway, onto my first post!

I started as DYO on Monday 9^th July. This was a very scary day for me. I received the final results of my degree in Christian Youth Work on the Saturday before, and here I was taking my first step into the workplace. The job also meant I had to move to Norwich. I have never lived in this part of the world before, spending my life around Liverpool and the North West of the country. When I was looking for jobs, I ideally wanted to not move further South than Birmingham, East than Leicester, or more than 3 hours from home; my boundaries where firmly in place. God clearly had other ideas!

As a trained youth worker, I expected to find employment in a Corps or church; running their youth groups, clubs, organising small events, etc. Working in an office is something I didn’t really expect! Yet as I explore the theme of ‘Boundless’ in preparation for EMASS, I realise again that we should not constrain God by our own limitations, or expect him to allow us to stay in those places we feel comfortable and the boundaries can be seen. 

Working in DHQ hasn’t been my sole place of work for the past 2 weeks. I have already been able to go out and meet young people, youth workers, and groups in Norwich Mile Cross, Dussindale, and Wisbech. I’ve also been able to get out and see some of King’s Lynn and Peterborough. Getting out and about is something I am very keen to do in my role. I want to experience what happens and hear the opinions of those involved so I can offer the best support and direction. I want everyone involved in youth work, from the paid workers, volunteers, supporters, and young people, to have a voice in the work that happens.

During my time as DYO, I want to develop the youth work so that young people can grow into the best they can be, knowing they have been listened to and given as many opportunities to stretch them and explore their faith so it can take them wherever they want to go. I want them to be equipped to move out past the boundaries they could see into the boundless adventure God has for them.

And what about you? As part of the blogging process, I want to hear your opinions and views. Have you recently had an experience of God opening your eyes to the boundless life He offers? What boundaries are you currently working past in your own life?

If you ever want to contact me, please feel free to do so via commenting, facebook or twitter, and I will get back to you.