We are currently in a season of sides. We can pick one side or the other. We can pick one presidential candidate and what they believe, or we can pick the other. We can choose to stand in line and wait for chicken sandwiches or we can boycott.

There are plenty of sides we can take. But I think we are called to greater things then picking sides and saying why we are right.

There are plenty of stories in the Gospels where Jesus is confronting Pharisees and calling them out. The Pharisees have found themselves in this position where they do a whole lot of talking and trying to look holy, but their hearts were in the wrong place. There was no flesh to their talk. No action to their belief. It was all rules and religion, not relationship.

It Matthew 12 there is a great example of this. The Pharisees corner Jesus and ask him about what’s appropriate to do on the Sabbath. He has a conversation about it, then turns around and heals a guy. He doesn’t waste time on who’s right or wrong, he takes action. (Check out Matthew 12 for the whole story)

And there is a great example of what we are called to do. We aren’t called to argue who’s right. We are called to go make a difference. To go change the world. To bring the kingdom of God here and now.

God calls us to love people like He loves us. Not to divide people or to belittle them because of what they believe.

Here’s my challenge: It’s important for us to vote and be conscious of the social issues going on in our communities. But what I think we should really spend our time on is taking the time to look around and see how we can impact our community. We can’t depend on million dollar businesses and government officials to make change. We need to impact the lives around us in whatever small way we can today.

(Photo Props)

Have you ever noticed how life has seasons? There are seasons of craziness and seasons of peace. Seasons of pain and seasons and happiness. The list of seasons could go on. I’m not sure yet if there is a rhyme or reason to it, I just know that I’ve experienced it.

Through all of it I’ve learned there is one thing, one value, one practice that’s extremely important to keep through all seasons. That’s the practice of slowing down. Rest. Taking a break. Breathing in and letting out a long exhale. Our culture puts huge emphasis on being busy. The busier you are the cooler and more important you should feel. The reality is, the busy you are the more miserable and out of control you probably feel.

I think if we continue down this road of just doing, doing, doing and don’t stop to just exhale that we could be slowly (or quickly) killing ourselves. Even more important, I don’t think it’s very God-like to keep up this crazy busy schedule.

Take a few weeks and read through the Gospels and you will find that Jesus was on the move. He was hustling. He had people to heal, Pharisees to put in place, and 12 disciples whom he wanted to show what it meant to really live. Among all of that stuff, a reoccurring theme for Jesus was his ability to slip away and take a break, to connect with God, and to relax.

So what does that mean for us? Well, let me ask you…how do you relax? How do you connect with God? I’ll go first:

• Sitting and listening to music and not doing anything else.
• Riding my bike.
• Walking my dog.
• Spending time with my wife.
• Reading!
• Going to the gym, and working out.
• And for the geeky side of me, I love reading/watching/collecting Transformers Comic items.

All of these things help me to pull away, and just focus on something else for a while. Each one has different purposes and build into my life in different ways, but they help me exhale.

So what are you doing to exhale? What one busy thing in your life are you doing that makes you feel validated, but may be taking away your time to just exhale? 

(Photo Props)

We are big readers on the Saturate Team. We love all kinds of books and love learning and growing. So we thought we’d share with you one book each that we think you should read!

Emily - In the Neighborhood by Peter Lovenheim: A convicting book about the necessity of community in each of our lives, especially as we consider what it means to see the needs of those around us and do our best to fill those needs. This book has encouraged me to get to know and understand the people who live on my street, and has challenged me to have meaningful conversations and be involved in the lives of my neighbors.

Paul - Choosing to Cheat by Andy Stanley – I’d recommend this book to our 20somethings because it focuses on what are our priorities. Most 20somethings I know are hoping to be married and possibly have a family one day. If so, then prioritizing that time is something we can begin today.

Adam – The Way Of The Shepherd by Kevin Leman, William Pentak – This book directly relates to managing people, but it does it in a short story format. It’s a super easy read and is filled with great content. I don’t think you need to be “leading” people in a formal way to get much out of this book. I really believe that the principals in this book will help you learn to influence well too.

Michael – Do The Work by Steven Pressfield – It’s a book full of encouraging bits of wisdom that asks, “What do you want to do and why aren’t you doing it?” A fun easy read. I’m a slow reader and read it in two sittings.

What about you? What are you reading right now? (Even if it’s the Hunger Games)