“Mama Maggie isn’t someone who is obsessed by service or ministry; she is someone who serves and ministers out of her great desire to know Christ and be filled by His Spirit. She doesn’t feel the need to be ‘productive’ and doing something at all times (a disease which afflicts many churchgoers and workers); she only desires to know God more deeply and grow in her intimacy with Him,” writes Fr. Anthony Messeh, a Coptic Orthodox priest who authors a blog about Finding God In Everyday Life.
Doing Nothing
This message of not feeling the need to “be productive and doing something at all times” is one I strive to impart at the Stretch, Strengthen & Relax classes I teach in my community. In fact, in this class — which is a Christian alternative to yoga — we put this ‘do-nothing’ theory into practice. For a segment of the class, participants relax on their exercise mats (or chairs), doing nothing other than closing their eyes and basking in the peaceful Presence of Christ. And, if that’s the only “nothing” they happen to do all day, well, I feel I’ve played my small part in helping them do just that — nothing!
BUT, this nothing is actually a big something, because “quiet trust” as such “makes a powerful statement in spiritual realms,” as stated in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. I am a firm believer that there is absolutely nothing more important we can do when it comes to serving God’s Kingdom than increasing our intimacy with Him. “Do not despise these simple ways of serving Me,” as paraphrased in “Jesus Calling” from Isaiah 30:15: “For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, ‘In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.’ But you were not willing.”
Transformational Process
If we are willing to be attuned to this transformational process, the hustle and bustle must decrease. “Be still, and know that I am God,” we are taught in Psalm 46:10. However, how tough it is for many of us to pause when it comes to pulling away from activity and day-to-day tasks! Let’s face it, we’re a society that loves to be busy, and for some reason we think that our “value” is right there in all the busyness. But, I beg to differ; I believe the deeper value is in the slowing down, becoming still, and desiring to increase our intimacy with God. It’s vital for our spiritual growth, and we really have to work at it.
So, let’s back up and look at this slowing-down process using what Fr. Anthony speaks of in his blog post about Mama Maggie. He writes: “Each of us is like a seed. As a seed, we have little value in and of ourselves. But when that seed is willing to die – when it allows the Sower to bury it in the ground according to His plan – that seed will have tremendous value. It will become the bearer of much fruit and end up with a life much greater than it previously thought possible.”
Physical Exercise as a Tool for Slowing Down?
“Doing less is surely something I have to work on,” a dear Jesus-loving friend admits to me as we’re discussing this slowing-down topic. “I AM a BUSY BODY,” she exclaims, “but I feel God calling me to slow down. It’s tough, though,” she says.
“But, guess what? At times, physical exercise can help with this process,” I explain to her soon after guiding her teen son through a Stretch, Strengthen & Relax class.
The body, soul, and spirit work together as a great team for our growth in God’s bigger plan.
From my experience, slower styles of exercise (such as stretching or even slowly lifting weights) assist with quieting all parts of our being to sense God’s Presence, especially when we fix our thoughts on Him, remembering Acts 17:28, “For in Him we live and move and have our being” in the first place. It is then that exercising not only becomes a way for toning the body, but also a tool for moving us toward intimacy with God.
This concept of using exercise to slow down to better focus is really no secret. For instance, think about the school teacher who flings open the classroom door, realizing her young students absolutely need to move around the playground before she can effectively teach a lesson that requires close attention. It’s like that let-it-all-out-to-take-it-all-in approach.
I definitely have days I need to stretch or do some other form of focused exercise before I can really “go there” with God. I’m not saying this is the case for all, but it is surely a reality for many and one of the reasons I am grateful to share Stretch, Strengthen & Relax. Plus, the overall peaceful feeling I’ve experienced from connecting the mind to the body and the body to the spirit is indescribably refreshing. In my humble opinion, we’d be wise to not skimp on it. This overall peaceful feeling must have something to do with the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” Jesus speaks of in Philippians 4:7, because it cannot be fully described in words. You just have to feel it to relate to it on some level. God’s peace is powerful.
Whether we enjoy exercising or not, the possibility of it helping to move us into deeper intimacy with God is reason enough to get up and move, don’t you think? Simply enjoy about five to 10 minutes (or more) of physical exercise, whether it be stretching, dancing, a brief walk, or just whatever speaks to you. Then, find a quiet spot and stretch out in stillness for a bit, whether it be on an exercise mat or resting on the grass. Just get comfortable!
Close your eyes and take a nice deep exhalation as a sign of surrendering to the Presence of Christ. Pulling from Fr. Anthony’s “seed” quote above, see yourself merely as a seed in God’s big plan. Watch your seed falling into the earth to be connected with many other seeds that God is forgiving, loving, watering, and allowing to grow — His way! Ask God to fill your mind with His thoughts, your ears with His messages, your mouth with His words, your heart with His Love, and your hands and feet with His works. Relax, trust, and embrace what unfolds!
