Sarum Pause for Reflection: Leisure

While the physical buildings of Sarum College have been closed for some weeks, our life and work goes on. We are continuing to teach and support ministry students in their formation. The work of our postgraduate theological study through our MA offer also continues online rather than in the physical space of the College.

Like many others we are keen to put our learning to use. We want to nourish the human spirit and explore what that might mean in these unsettling and rather perplexing times. The Sarum Pause for Reflection framework is simple – a  theme, an image some inspiration from scripture and a short reflection which might lead into some action and prayer. All contained within a few words on a standard A4 sheet which you can download from a link as a pdf to share. We hope that you might want to use them or share them with your friends and colleagues.

Above all we hope that they will support and encourage you in these coming days.

Reflection 

We undervalue leisure– time off– doing nothing– resting! Recreation, entertainment, amusement and play are all meaningful. They are gifts to us to enable us to be restored. Something does not need to be meaningful because it is immediately useful. Leisure is part of a balanced life within which we can know our proper good, the genuine richness of ourselves and the world around us.  

Leisure helps human beings to flourish – to live the fullest life and celebrate happiness. Sitting by the river, talking to friends, cooking for others, sleeping, contemplation are deeply meaningful and restorative.  

Perhaps one of the fundamental and God given human experiences is the realisation that’s truly uplifting things in life can be obtained if only we accept as free gifts.

And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. Genesis 2:2

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