Learning Along The Way

5 Messages I’ve Learned from Spiritual Whitespace

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The words and ideas in Bonnie Gray’s new book, Finding Spiritual Whitespace have worked their way into spaces inside me I didn’t realize were there.  In the working I’ve learned a few messages (so far). 5 messages at this point that I am able to share.

1) Whitespace is vital

Look at this picture. It’s a classic example of the vital nature of whitespace in photography. If the clouds weren’t there and all you saw was a big blue sky you might miss the details in the photo.  Whitespace provides contrast.  Bonnie uses this vital idea in art in terms of our spiritual landscape as well.  The contrast of whitespace to the over full landscape of our day can allow space for our soul to breathe.  Whitespace is vital.

dad's car

2) Spiritual Whitespace is playful

Right in the middle of this classic photo surrounded by lots of lighter space is my cat Tartar. Named for my high school mascot because he was born in the art teacher’s kiln (warm space right?) I brought the tiny kitten home at the end of summer school before my freshman year. He was playful and creative. Allowing whitespace in our lives gives us room to be playful and creative too.  If we are only about the “to do list” and getting things done, there isn’t room for spontaneity and fun. Hanging out with Jesus outdoors, or with colored pencils, pens or paint can be an opportunity to connect with the imago dei that you bear.  Considering ways to find spiritual whitespace for creativity is so often pushed away as frivolous. Is it?

tartar as adult

3) Spiritual Whitespace is hope-filled

The path in this photo leads off into the distance…I know where it leads because I’ve been there, but you might not. Spiritual Whitespace allows the hope of Jesus to seep into your weary soul just like the fog is seeping over the edge of the mountains. Fog might not seem like a hope-filled thing but it actually provides a lot of moisture for coastal plants and a respite from too much heat. Our souls need to know that in rest from too much heat, of feeling burned out from too many demands, of feeling fried at the edges from too much busy-ness, there can be a renewal of our souls from weariness.

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4) Finding Spiritual Whitespace is Daily

Reading Bonnie’s book is not a quick summer beach or vacation reading experience. It is not a light, frivolous read. That being said, it is however a beautiful invitation to care for your soul-Daily. Bonnie has created a set of actions; invitations, to pull up a chair and share. Her writing is so personal and transparent that it makes it easy just to be yourself with Jesus, if you make the time available.

river to the sea

God gives rhythms in His Creation that we often ignore in our contrived electronic filled beyond the margins existence. He created us with a need to come away with Him and rest. Do we hear and accept? Or dismiss and reject?

Finding Spiritual Whitespace is an invitation to choose…

5) Finding Spiritual Whitespace is a Journey

Jesus knew what His life was about: the redemption of humanity. His one goal was met at the Cross. He died the death each of us deserves because of our natural opposition to the holiness of God; opposition of allowing anyone but ourselves to be in charge of our lives.  When we recognize that it is us, not the Jews of 2000 years ago that put Jesus on that Cross; when we feel the weight of our own life burdens without His help and influence; when we consider what our options are apart from Him in the very real present and future; we come face to face with why Jesus journeyed to the Cross.

Finding Spiritual Whitespace is a journey. Realigning our priorities and putting our calendars, our past, our present into an alignment of a with-God life is a journey.  It is not a one and done event; finding spiritual whitespace is a daily journey to the heart of God who made your soul, and mine, to need rest. To need space for Him.

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The most beautiful thing about Bonnie’s book? She is authentic and transparent with her journey; a beautiful model for each of us as we journey through this world. Are you on a journey toward God and rest for your soul on a daily basis? Or are you journeying on your own, worn down, bearing untold burdens from your past, pain in the present, without space to rest?

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Join us, won’t you? Community is the place to share and grow.

21 Days of Rest: Finding Spiritual Whitespace

3 Subtle Changes as You Rest

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green hydrangeaChange in our souls can be subtle. So subtle that we may not even take notice for some time.

Come to think of it, change is often subtle with things like our weight loss or strength training or distance we can run/walk or gardening.

Hmmm…

blooming hydrangeaWe don’t see the changes even from one day to the next.  Change can be so slow we forget to stay in the process.  Or we give up because we don’t see any progress.

It’s counter intuitive to think that change happens when we rest.

We’ve been conditioned to believe that activity, action, production, achievement, progress are all gained by constant motion.

That’s a lie from the pit of Hell.

There. I said it.

So what is the opposite of constant motion and production?

Rest.

I’ve been reading a new book, Finding Spiritual Whitespace, by Bonnie Gray of FaithBarista. That I am reading a new book is not surprising; I’m known for reading.  And doing. And producing.

Not known for resting.

But I have gleaned 3 subtle changes (so far!) that happen when we rest.

1) Your trust level is challenged

Trust that whatever you are saying ‘No’ to will not cause the end of the world as you know it.  I know that may sound ridiculous but what are the reasons you don’t say No more?  For me it’s Fear. Fear of missing out. Fear of not being thought well of by others. Fear of being called lazy. Fear of letting someone down.  All because of saying ‘No’ and taking care of my soul.

My trust level is challenged every time I choose soul rest over a task.  It helps me to plan gaps of discretionary time in the day but schedules don’t always allow that luxury.  Trusting that pushing the pause button won’t cause the end of the world is BIG. But so worth it.  It’s getting easier over time, but the change is subtle.

2) Your ability to let go is called into question

We’ve all seen the bumper stickers ahead of us, “Let Go and Let God”. They may be so familiar that we respond with ‘yeah right’ because we believe “if it’s to be, it’s up to me.” This is the place where prioritizing rest, spiritual whitespace, really started poking me.  Who else will go to the store for groceries? Who else will get _________ done if I don’t?

What if getting __________ done isn’t as important in the big scheme of things? (where God’s priorities are)  What if I take the risk of letting that task go…for now…to allow my soul to listen to the still small voice for even a few moments?  What if?

3) Your willingness to listen to Jesus’ invitation to rest is also brought out of the dusty recesses of your mind & heart

You may know this verse by heart, “Come to Me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” 

Knowing a verse by heart and living out the Truth are two very different things.  I have been dusting off this memory verse and putting it into action.

All the doing in the world doesn’t give your soul much needed whitespace to breathe.

Whitespace comes when we push the pause button on activity and give our souls a chance to SLOW DOWN.

Change happens subtly…

flood of blooms hydrangea
one pause at a time to give your soul a chance to breathe…

Who knows?  You might be grown into a beautiful picture of Jesus at work in you and through you, to His creation, His children who need to know Him through you.

This book, Finding Spiritual Whitespace, is challenging, encouraging, hopeful and personal. Bonnie has shared her story courageously; that we may step forward in our stories as well.  She invites us to pull up a chair and share…won’t you join the conversation?

Linking up today with FaithBarista over here:

21 Days of Rest: Finding Spiritual Whitespace

How Do You Like to Enjoy a Quiet Moment?

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It’s day 2 of 21 Days of Rest.  I love Bonnie’s question for today: How do like to enjoy a quiet moment?  

predawn beach walk

It’s been here. At low tide. In the mornings. Alone with Jesus.

 

Now it’s here

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Reflecting with Him on all that He has been doing in me this past year.

It has been a hard journey of letting go.

But my quiet, soul rest moments, below the surface of my circumstances, have been sweet and renewing.

He makes all things new.

A verse that He gave me to cling to in the quiet is Isaiah 43:19 : ” Behold I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”

There have been many wilderness moments this past year. Many times I cried out to Him ‘I do believe! Help me in my unbelief!’ like the father in Mark 9. I wanted to see with eyes of faith that He was doing something new in our lives and especially in my heart.

I have kept bumping up against old tapes telling me I have no value since I am not producing anything. My worth was always tied to my achievement. And then once achieved, the bar was raised to new heights, always just beyond the grasp of loved for who I am.

Jesus whispers to me: You are my beloved. AS you ARE. You are enough because you are Mine.

The clash of internals.

His Words of love, encouragement and acceptance. The voice of the one supposed to love me telling me not good enough.

This 21 Days of Rest is a beautiful capstone to the year of letting go and looking forward to the roadway in the wilderness of my heart, the river of Life in the desert of my soul.

Join in and share or simply read others’ words of rest.

21 Days of Rest: Finding Spiritual Whitespace

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