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Archives: January 2011
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Archives: January 2011
Half time...
By Ali Gillum
The whistle has blown, you’re one nil down and you’re walking back to the changing rooms for half time. All you’re thinking is, ‘at least we get a 15 minute rest before we have to go back out there again!’
This week I’ve been flat out, I can’t believe how much I’ve got going on right now. I’m doing an internship at a church in London working with the youth team, and it’s absolutely brilliant, but I’ll be honest, it doesn’t leave much room for finally getting around to watching the last series of the O.C.
Never mind getting time for classy American TV, by the time I’ve walked into work via my favourite coffee shop, sent a few fleeting texts to organise some semblance of a social life, checked my UCAS application forms and updated my Facebook status letting everyone know that I’m missing my Saturday night fix of the X Factor, I’ve barely had time to catch my breath!
Every time I read the parable about Mary and Martha, I always want to tell myself that I’m like Mary, sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to him rather than making myself busy like Martha.
But the truth is, I think we all find it much easier to be like Martha than Mary. Funnily enough though, I was reading back through my prayer journal from the last few years and I noticed that the times I felt closest to God, and the times when I felt I could hear God’s voice were all times when I had stopped. Sat still. Listened.
For me, I’ve found that weekends away can be the perfect place to take time out; there is something so refreshing about being in totally different surroundings.
Our church is really fortunate to have a kind of ‘home in the country’ that we can use now and again to get away. It’s an amazing place to spend the weekend, and keeps me away from all of the other distractions in my life.
I went away for the weekend with a few friends last year and I was feeling weary, run down, and like I was just simply plodding along. But by the end of the weekend I came home feeling totally the opposite: refreshed, revitalized, and so excited about the life God has blessed me with and the opportunities He daily gives to spread His love and share His good news.
I remember hearing Mike Pilavachi saying that times like Soul Survivor, weekends away and other camps are like the half time of a match. That’s to say our focus should not be primarily on those times away we have, rather they are more of a ‘team talk’ with other Christians, supporting one another and encouraging each other, learning from ‘the first half’ and seeing how we can improve our ‘second half’.
We’re obviously blessed because we have lots of different opportunities to take ‘half time’ and go back to life envisioned and prepared to “shine like stars" in amongst a “crooked and depraved generation.” (Philippians 2:15).
It’s when I’m quiet and still that I hear God most clearly, and whether or not that’s a weekend away or just 10 minutes every day in your room with the door closed, I can’t recommend it highly enough.
God longs to be with us, to spend time with us and love us, but how can he do that if we don’t make space for him in our lives? It’s the same with our friends. If we don’t make time to see them and find out how they’re doing, then we just drift apart. While I was away for the weekend with church last year, and every time I’ve been to Soul Survivor, I’ve made new friendships and strengthened existing friendships that will last a lifetime.
So whether or not you can get away this year to a Youth Alpha Weekend, a few days at Soul Survivor or just find some quiet in your bedroom, let’s all try to be Mary for a change. Martha must be shattered!
About the author
Ali is a Youth Intern at Holy Trinity Brompton where she’s involved in running the National Youth Alpha Weekend Away. It’s for anyone who is doing Youth Alpha, or has done Youth Alpha and wants to experience teaching on the Holy Spirit. It will also be an amazing opportunity for worship, prayer, praise and teaching; plus there will be outdoor activities, great food and loads of laughs. There’ll be the chance to hang out with old friends, and make new ones. People from all over the country will be coming together for one reason: because they want to discover more about God and learn more about the Holy Spirit.
More about the Youth Alpha weekend away...
Soul Survivor is a Christian charity that puts on events for young people. Our registered charity no. is 1080720. We are also a company limited by guarantee in England & Wales. Our company registered number is 03991111, which is nice. Thanks for caring.
e. info@soulsurvivor.com | t. 0303 333 1 333
Soul Survivor | Unit 2 Paramount Industrial Estate | Sandown Road | Watford | Herts. | UK