The Restful Practice of Play 
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Play can restore our souls from the damage done by our accomplishment-driven, workaholic culture.
Keri Wyatt Kent
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Once, Jesus' disciples—who were beginning to realize that God's kingdom was not like earthly kingdoms—asked him to clarify: Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? In other words, how do you move ahead? By way of reply, Jesus "called a little child, whom he placed among them. And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes a humble place—becoming like this child—is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven'" (Matt. 18:2-4, NRSV).
You minister to children, so you know all about play. And while our job of leading and serving kids is important and, in many ways, serious, we can sometimes lose some of our joy. Ironically, we ignore the example of the children right in front of us and get way too serious about everything.
What does it mean to play, to be childlike (which is a bit different from being childish)? And what did Jesus mean when he said that the greatest in his kingdom were those who chose to be like little children? Did he want us to be playful? Does that mean we all ought to play more dodge ball?
While we may have a different perspective on childhood than Jesus' contemporaries did, he continues to call us to trust him. And to realize we're not "all that." Leadership often tempts us to believe too firmly in our own importance. Play stretches our ability to be a fool, to engage in that which has no purpose other than simple joy. Play forces us to loosen our grip on our ambition for a while. It trains us in humility. We often want to avoid the risk involved with being silly. It's odd, since Jesus said we ought to be humble, that we seem to find it difficult to let go of our self-importance and image management—especially if we are leaders.
One way to get more play time in our lives is to practice Sabbath-keeping—taking one day a week to rest from our work. Play can definitely be a part of that rest, and it is necessary to restore our souls from the damage done by our accomplishment-driven, workaholic culture.
Do you know how to play? Often adults engage in sports, but it is with a sense of competitive intensity. Or, perhaps you are in a sports league, but you have to justify it as "relational evangelism." You're not just playing; you're building bridges to share the gospel. But what if "just playing" is what God invites us to do as part of our Sabbath practice?
Many adults see exercise as drudgery rather than play. Or it becomes an obsession, a god they compulsively sacrifice large amounts of time and energy to. They don't play for fun; they exercise in an attempt to look younger, to stave off the inevitable aging process. Or it becomes a stimulant, another addiction. Rather than just enjoying a game of catch with the kids or a walk through the woods, we feel the need to engage in extreme sports.
Sabbath is a spiritual practice, of which play is a quintessential part. In play, we shed the shackles of schedules, efficiency, even purpose. The playfulness of Sabbath is the key to its ability to restore our souls.
The ancient Greeks distinguished between two types of time. Chronos (or kronos), named for the Greek god who swallowed his children, is linear time, chronological, measured, logical. How apt a picture of our driven society—our playfulness swallowed and destroyed by our busyness. What we carefully track with watches, clocks, and calendars is chronos (clock) time. And though we seem to control it by measuring its minutes, hours, and days, it does seem to threaten to swallow us up, to keep us running in fear and anxiety.
But a second word, kairos (pronounced "ky-ros"), has to do with those moments when we lose awareness of the ticking clock. It's when we are in the moment, when time passes and we are unaware of it. It means "at this moment" but also "the fullness of time." Like Sabbath time, it is sacred time.
Interestingly, the New Testament, which was written in Greek, makes much use of this distinction. Specific moments in history when God steps in are considered kairos moments.
Have you ever engaged in something so enjoyable that you lost track of time? Something fun or absorbing? Something that didn't have a point or a purpose, other than itself; something you did just for the fun or interest or excitement of it and you forgot about yourself and your to-do list? In other words, did you ever just play? In the losing track of chronos time, we touch kairos time.
Having a deep conversation with a dear friend, reading an absorbing book, or engaging deeply in some creative endeavor can usher us into kairos time.
Play is a path to kairos. It puts us in touch with the fullness of time, it refreshes our souls. While prayer is an important spiritual practice, so is play.
Do you take time for Sabbath each week? If you feel that Sunday is the day you "work" the most, then give yourself another day of the week to rest. When Eugene Peterson pastored a church, he took his Sabbath on Monday. He and his wife would go hiking or simply relax. And he asked his congregation not to call him on Mondays. He humbled himself enough to admit that he needed rest.
If we long to experience kairos time, we can begin by learning to play. Play often opens up time in a way that allows us to shed the chains of chronos.
If playfulness puts us into kairos, if it somehow loosens the grip of our demanding schedules, then it is an appropriate and indeed helpful part of our Sabbath practice. Pastor Mark Buchanan writes in The Rest of God:
"Play is subversive, really. It subverts business as usual. It subverts necessity. It subverts utility. It subverts all the chronos-driven, taskmaster-supervised, legalism-steeped activities that mark out most of our lives—that make us oh-so-useful, but bland and sullen in our usefulness. Sabbath is for play."
If you think you could never take a whole day to rest, then start smaller. Consider the possibility that you will make a journey toward a more restful lifestyle, that it may take some time to move forward on that journey, that recovering your life may require you to make some changes, some decisions.
You do not have to be an Olympic-level Sabbath-keeper. The Sabbath was made for people, Jesus said. It's a tool you can use to become healthier spiritually—more connected with the God who loves you, more peaceful, more joyful. Not perfect at any of those things. Just healthier.
If you had some time to do something you enjoy, what would that be? If you don't know, then perhaps the journey toward Sabbath play will begin for you with this simple question: What do I love?
Go for a walk, putter in the garden, read a book that would be of absolutely no help for your next sermon or ministry talk. Have a family meal, and linger over it, rather than running off to a committee meeting or retreating to your office. Go for a bike ride or hike with your family. Enjoy a conversation with your spouse without trying to fix them. Leave some things undone. Embrace play as a form of rest.
This article is adapted from Keri's book, Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity (Zondervan, 2009).
Keri Wyatt Kent writes and speaks about spiritual formation. Learn more about her ministry at http://www.keriwyattkent.com.
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- Re: The Restful Practice of Play vektek
14 y
2,104
This is a reply to # 1,701,016Good timing for this article Refreshed. :) I definitely need to play more.
Your article reminded me of this article by Steve Mcvey:
Just Play
Unless you are converted and become like a little child, you can’t enter the kingdom of heaven. That’s what Jesus said. (See Matthew 18:3) If you were asked, “What is the main activity of a child?” what would you say? You would probably answer, “To play.” A playful attitude may be the most spiritual attitude a Christian can have. What better way to show our absolute trust in a sovereign Father who tends to every detail of our lives? Just play. What an act of faith that would be!
How will you play if you insist on taking responsibilities beyond that of a child? A child’s only role is to enjoy the moment. A child never worries about the future. He only embraces the joys that are before him, however simple, however short lived. He has no elaborate plans. He has no need to control the flow of events. He adapts to any circumstance where he may find himself and turns it into a game. He just plays.
The world is a playground for a child. While others hurry around with urgent tasks which drain them of their zest for living, a child just lives. He takes no thought of the things that worry the adult world. He intrinsically knows that, in the end, matters take care of themselves.
“What about responsibility?” you may ask. I assume you know I’m not advocating abandoning responsibility. Of course you’ll balance this encouragement to play with common sense. I’m not worried that most adults will carry this encouragement to play to the extreme. Far from it, the opposite tends to be the case in the adult world.
So relax and play. Your Father has given you the privilege of living as a child – His child. Learn to adapt the mind of a child, the flow of a child’s rhythm for living, the trust of a child’s heart and the eagerness of a child’s attitude. Learn to see Him in every situation and then relax. He has all the details already prepared and they are being worked out for your good and His glory at this very moment.
Joyfully embrace every day and live with the certainty that your Father’s heart is set on you and on the purpose of thrilling you with His love. Let Him love the bondage of adulthood from your heart until it is filled only with a childlike attitude that trusts Him and embraces the world with enthusiasm.Advertisement
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- Re: The Restful Practice of Play refreshed
14 y
2,063
This is a reply to # 1,701,035Advertisement
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Lol, that is soooo something you would post. :)
And I will add....
Just like a small child....they have endless energy like the energizer bunny.
They find joy and adventure in all that they do. They trust and do not worry about the future because they have true faith that Daddy will take care of them no matter what direction their humble desires take them.
At the end of the day, their bodies slow down from the thrill of the day and they rest deeply and dream future dreams of how their lives will make a difference in the world. Perhaps they will be a Fireman, Teacher, Football Player, Astronaut, Zookeeper, Scientist, Musician, President or Poet. God knows what they will choose.
A new day breaks....an adventure begins once again.
- Re: The Restful Practice of Play vektek
14 y
2,081
This is a reply to # 1,701,049Yes, the energy never runs out it seems, even when tired ole momma is trying to finish packing. :(
Can I give up my responsibilities, and play right now?
Oh, I wish.
There is a time for every season. I time for packing. A time for playing.
I don't like packing, can ya'll tell?
I will do anything to postpone it, like get on here and make silly posts.
My little girl wants to grow up to be a dancing, singing momma. She feels sorry for me that I can't sing or dance very well. :)
- Re: The Restful Practice of Play refreshed
14 y
2,071
Lugol’s Iodine Free S&H
J.Crow’s® Lugol’s Iodine Solution. Restore lost reserves.
Original Dr. Hulda Clark
Hulda Clark Cleanses
This is a reply to # 1,701,070Advertisement
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Remove toxins from the body, restore digestive function, lose weight and keep it off.
So young and already a singing critic. Lol, I love it. You better watch it, she will be grown before you know it.
I had my grandson at church today and we had to wait while my husband was in a meeting. While we waited I let him play the piano. He was so thrilled because he loves when I let him play ours at home. I was so amazed how gentle he was playing. (kid type playing...not real playing) It actually didn't disturb the adults as we were talking. It really sounded like soft music playing in the background. He is a bouncing off the walls type of kindergarten kid but for some reason he is such a little gentleman at church. He has all the little old ladies charmed with his attention, hugs and little man hand-shakes.
I just love his wide-eyed look at everything. He brings out the best in me. :)Advertisement
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- Re: The Restful Practice of Play vektek
14 y
2,082
This is a reply to # 1,701,080Your grandson sounds adorable. My little girl is good at church too. They think she's an angel. So my needed prayers for sanity go unnoticed. lol
No, seriously, I am blessed and you are too. Kids are amazing. I wish we could keep them small, but I know they must grow.
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- Re: The Restful Practice of Play vektek
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