One of my favorite times at school was Field Day. It was serious business for me as an athletic kid, but at the end of the day, when all the competing was done, we all sat down together and enjoyed a juice box. As we get older, it can be all too easy to skip this important part of life.

In general, we tend to frame life in terms of hard, relentless races or long, arduous marathons- while there is much to appreciate about both racing and marathoning phases of life, we're intended for something much more productive to the human experience: COMMUNITY.

Without community and fellowship with friends and neighbors there is nothing left for us but an ever out-of-reach finish line. So take a break from your racing this week and instead take some time to experience the best of what life has to offer.

Who are your go-to friends? What is your go-to ‘juice box’?

If you’re struggling to find consistent vibrant Christian community, we want to hear from you. A big part of the Project Arctos mission is to awaken us all to a more vibrant Christian experience, which is difficult to achieve without fellowship. Please take a moment to prayerfully engage this quick survey (2-min). It is anonymous and will help guide us as we develop new Christian resources:

Finding spaces for rest and community are important for vibrant Christian living. Throughout Scripture God repeatedly points us back to Him for revitalization and rest:

This is what the Lord says:

“Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths,

Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls.”

Jeremiah 6:16

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…”

Isaiah 30:15

Take a few minutes today to reflect on your present life-rhythm. Are you racing too much? Stuck on a seemingly relentless marathon? What might God be showing you to be a healthier, more vibrant part of your rhythm?

It can be hard to fathom having someone who forever and unfailingly has your best interests in view.

Hopefully you have a partner, family, or friends who at least give you a healthy taste of how this feels, but ultimately many of us still operate in this life as though we've always got to be the captains of our own destiny. As such, it can be hard to trust even God in a holistic sense.

If you're like me, you'll occasionally argue your perspective or bargain with God on some aspect of your life or another. But we have to remember that His ways are so far advanced above our ways.

While any conversation with God is good, instead of our short-sighted bargaining, it may be much better to get to a place of abidance and agreement with what God is doing and how He is leading in your life (as opposed to persistently arguing your limited perspective).

God knows you best, He knows the universe around you best, and He is always and unfailingly going to act in your best interest.

So next time you find yourself bargaining, stop for a moment and do some more listening. He's trying to bless you, grow you, and perfectly love you.

May your week be filled with divine conversation marked with an abiding posture from which you may receive blessings well beyond what you could ever have bargained for.

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