IT'S TIME TO BE AND NOT DO.

BY REV. DR. LISA C. BANKS-WILLIAMS WESLEY PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR STUDENT CARE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY LIFE

Isaiah called the coming Messiah Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father. There are over 400 references to peace in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament We say, “Peace on earth and Goodwill towards mankind”. But, does this declaration include the peace we need for ourselves?

Jesus came to be the savior of the whole world. You did not, cannot, and should not attempt to do the assignment that Jesus came to fulfill. We are made in God’s, image. And as we have accepted the call to ministry,

We are imbued with God’s power. But, sometimes we get overwhelmed, not just with the enormity of what is required of us; but with the wonder of being used by God. That power is weighty, it is exciting to be used by God to do the work of ministry. Unfortunately, we can become trapped in the mindset that we can and must do it all.

In this season of Advent, I encourage us to be intentional about seeking peace. The peace that comes when we really accept that we are saved by grace and not by our works And sometimes peace comes, when we recognize that the things that we avoid the most, are the things that we need to embrace Peace comes when instead of trying to be gracious, and compassionate to everyone else, we save some of that grace and compassion for ourselves.

Make this Advent season, a season of rest, relaxation, and reflection. Make this Advent season, a season of rest, relaxation, and reflection. One way to do this is to stop doing and just BE. It’s bad grammar, but good theology.

Here are some ways to practicing just BE(ing):

Be intentional about the activities and the use of your time.

Be intentional about exercising self-care

Self-care is not self-indulgence.

Self-care is not selfish.

Self-care is not self-sufficiency.

Self-care is a survival skill.

Self-care means seeking the things that bring you peace. Self-care means trusting the spirit of God that lives within you to lead and guide you. Self-care entails learning to live with contentment when joy may be just out of reach. Self-care also means having selfcompassion

We must be willing to forgive ourselves when we fall short of our own expectations as well as the expectations of others.

Self-care means committing your goals wants and dreams to the Lord by putting those things into the only hands who can make them into realities.

Peace comes when we exercise selfcompassion, it is time to give yourself the gift, you readily give to others-compassion. Peace comes from Being instead of doing. In this season and from now on, take time to be and not just do.

Next semester we are going to be sharing information and strategies to help us be more intentional about self-care. Stay tuned for Self-care Survival Skills.