“Are you taking a day off?” “When is your day off?” “Make sure you are taking breaks!” “I know you are busy.” “Don’t let yourself get burned out!”
As a minister, it is incredibly helpful to know that I am in a congregation that cares about my well-being. I’ve heard these statements and more over my years here, and it confirms for me that you all are a loving and supportive community of faith.
It has struck me, as I reflect on these statements and our last few weeks of our sermon series on Sabbath, that we understand and appreciate the need for rest. Especially in this congregation, filled with such high-functioning folks, that rest might be a need that is always top of mind because often we get so little of it.
And it is also a need, like food, water, and air, that, if we don’t get it, our bodies will tell us that it is time to seek it.
But other needs often go under the radar. Two that I think go way under the radar in our fast-paced society are connection and authenticity.
We need connection with other people. When the rubber hits the road and life gets to be too much, we need other folks to depend on. We also need a place where we are allowed and given permission to authentically be ourselves. To be our true selves can remind us who we are. It can allow us to discover aspects of ourselves that lead to transformation, understanding, and healing.
No, our bodies may not keep the score on those needs, but our hearts certainly do.
Because of that, connection and authenticity are more than just buzzwords. They are not found in simply existing around others. Rather, they are found in the intentional gathering of breaking bread, asking questions, and doing life together. It is more than just finding a good concert to go to together or sharing a good bottle of merlot. Rather, it is when we open ourselves up to the goodness that can radiate through others and within ourselves in intentional spaces that we can find…goodness.
Or, as the greek language puts it….kalos.
