Slowing and John 10.10

Twice this year I have read John Mark Comer's book the Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. I am currently working my way through Waiting for Grace, which has a few big words in their for me, so that's slowing me in of itself! ;). This journey of reflecting and slowing has been off the back of 4 very full years of work in which I have moved house twice and to be honest felt a bit nomadic/not attached or planted in the House (Church) for the first time really since I first went to University. Amongst the speed and fullness of life, I have still been active in my faith and walk, but certainly i would say my relationship, like any other where less time is spent and invested is not as deep or close as it once was. In consciously drawing a line in the sand at the beginning of Oct, something i had in mind for some time, I slowly find my soul awakening and my desire/hunger for the Lord growing once again. In what has been a tough year for the world with Covid, it's been a tough year personally, with the gift of time and the challenge of isolation - it has been a bit like i could imagine coming off the drug of speed/busyness - something that i have long held to be a danger. No doubt we are created for good works. Indeed what we do now I believe does echo into eternity. Jesus reminds Martha that Mary has chosen the best thing. In my mum's thanksgiving service, Rich reflected on mum's life echoing John 10:10's Jesus coming to give us a full/abundant life. It is the wording here that I want to look at, as i think we have somehow (not all of us), eqauted this to busyness! Mum indeed lived a full, life, but a full balanced life, with pausing and much richness. Life can't be abundant unless there is nurturing and rest. If we are just busy we burn out, and have nothing to give out of - thus the gift of Sabbath, which isn't just set for a day and something to do, but has significant implications. A discussion for another day (i have written a reflection on Sabbath, and it's importance which I will post seperately). The 'Full'περισσὸν (perisson) or abundant, life as it is often translated, can also be read as exceeding a measure/rank/need - over and above, more than is necessary, superadded, something further, more, much more than all, more plainly, superior, extraordinary, surpassing, more remarkable or excellent... Full is in someways possibly an unhelpful word associated... it is clear that Jesus' calls us to a life of abunadance, and extraordinary, more exellent - His way is higher than outr way kind of life.... But not one that is just full of business... I just don't see that in an abundant and fruitful life.. I don't see it in the patterns of Jesus' life... after full on days, He almost always seeks time with the Father or time of food/fellowship and rest... If that's Jesus example and pattern, its a pattern that I am drawn to, and both seeminly long for... Life abundant and overflowing, with great purpose and good works to do, out of a place of fullness/rest and by the Holy Spirit...