Purpose in the Rest

 

Some days, the butterflies are seemingly everywhere. They flit and fly and seem to never stop. Occasionally, they are captured perfectly in action, as on this sunny day. Amid the blossoms of purple the orange blur finally rests, balanced precariously on a point of green. Reminiscent of a gymnast sticking the landing or an ice skater coming to rest on the razors edge, it is a moment of balance and perfection.

Albert Einstein writes, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” The butterfly does not rest long; its stopping is a step on the way to the next flower. As we read the ever forward moving story of the Gospels, we find that Jesus is known to stop from time to time. But never for long. He went to find peace in prayer. He headed to Bethany to stay with his friends, Mary and Martha and Lazarus. But each stop was on the way to more action, more movement, as Jesus lived his life to the full.

To find our way to meaningful and purposeful life is to learn the art of seeing our stops as meaningful steps in the journey. Every moment of exciting action and every moment of rest both serve a purpose. And, together, they mark our journey through this precious gift called life.

Peace.