Rekindle

Part five of the Ouch! series.

A closed piano lid…

A dried-out paintbrush…

A rusty rollerskate…

A hidden vinyl collection…

An unfinished cross-stitch…

A half-read book…

A dusty badminton racket…

Are any of these hidden away in your house somewhere?

It might not be these specific items, but something similar.

Have a think!

Are there any objects in your house that represent a passion you once had, a creative outlet you used to love, or a sport that you played just for fun?

Would you like to explore that passion again? If so, what is stopping you?

In our pain management session this week we were asked to think about the things we love to do just for ourselves. Lots of people mentioned reading, craft and sport. Others, with nostalgia in their eyes, thought back to the things they loved to do when they were kids.

“I used to love painting.”

“I loved singing in a choir.”

“I really enjoy walking on the hills, but I can’t do it now.”

Many in the group, including me, had very practical reasons why they couldn’t do what they loved anymore. We all recognised that any spare energy was used up completing the tasks we were unable to do on bad pain days. It felt like a waste to use such precious time on something as frivolous as painting or playing the piano! Others expressed a frustration that they could no longer do their favourite thing in the way that they used to, due to their physical limitations. Others shared the practical difficulties of finding a moment to sit and read when there were chores to be done and family members to look after.

And then, our group leader asked us a question…

Have you noticed that your pain eases when you’re doing something you love?

I hadn’t noticed…until that moment!

There was then a burst of energy in the room as people shared suggestions to enable everyone to return to the things they loved.

“Just start by reading for ten minutes a day and put a sign on the door so your family know it’s your time to relax.”

“There’s a bus that goes up into the Peak District that takes you to some amazing views. You’ll be in nature and you won’t have to climb there yourself!”

Our group leader jokingly gave each of us a prescription to rekindle something we love.

The suggestions went on and on as the group helped each other to set small, manageable goals to step towards rekindling the activities that brought them joy.

We all chose one goal, and one step we could take to move towards it!

It got me thinking, what are the passions, gifts and talents that God has placed in our lives that need rekindling?

What did we used to do for him that we loved sharing with others, that we don’t do now?

What season have we decided is over, when God has so much more for us to experience and enjoy?

A few years ago, I concluded that I was done leading sung worship. I say concluded rather than decided because it just felt like that season of my life was over. I convinced myself that writing was my new God-given focus and, although it had been fun, dancing about and leading worship wasn’t for me anymore. Although I continued to lead the Youth Chorus, I started to have similar feelings. I thought it might be better if someone younger, more energetic, basically someone who wasn’t me, took over. Then I was asked to sing with a group at a monthly gathering called ‘Heart of Worship’.

For all the reasons mentioned above, I was extremely reluctant to help out.

I’m glad the person talked me round as I feel like God has brought that part of me to life again.

When I’m leading sung worship, I don’t notice the aches and pains.

When I’m waving my arms around and worshipping with the Youth Chorus, the joy of that moment over-rides my dodgy nervous system and it feels great.

I always pay for it the next day, but rekindling those passions makes it worthwhile.

There is joy in exploring the gifts and talents God has given us.

So, what could you rekindle?

What small goal could you set to pick up that paintbrush or even dust off that recorder (if this is your passion of choice, then please don’t rekindle it near me)?

I encourage you to find joy in rekindling a passion that you thought was lost and watch what God does with your offering.

10 Use whatever gift you’ve received for the good of one another so that you can show yourselves to be good stewards of God’s grace in all its varieties. 11 If you’re called upon to talk, speak as though God put the words in your mouth; if you’re called upon to serve others, serve as though you had the strength of God behind you. In these ways, God may be glorified in all you do through Jesus the Anointed, to whom belongs glory and power, now and forever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (VOICE)

Kay Moorby