Imaginative Play
Rhythms of Renewal: Create Rhythm - Imaginative Play
Do I take the coward’s way out? Do I just pick and choose to put a spotlight on the ideas that resonate with me and then come up with reasons why the ones that challenge me won’t work? I glanced at the notes I took in my notebook from this particular chapter and read this chapter’s convicting commentary: “When we sacrifice the values we cherish most for the immediacy of checking things off our lists, we do ourselves harm. Our hearts need space to feel, create, embrace, and love—none of which can be placed on a to-do list. These priorities only come when we make time for exploration, fun, and unexpected life to happen” (261). Why do I feel that Rebekah Lyons is peeking in my window and seeing me excuse myself from some of her ideas—and then feel guilty?
From the very first day someone told me about the Enneagram personalities, I recognized myself instantly. That same sensation of someone observing me in my daily life (and even of seeing into my soul a little bit!) washed over me as I read the description and traits associated with the personality that I identify with most closely. In the past month, I attended an Enneagram personality training session at our church, and I was able to understand a little better that, as a “One,” I am somewhat hard-wired to crave to-do lists—and to do them well. Breaking away from that does not come naturally to me. In fact, sometimes I try to imagine ways that I could be more free-spirited in life, and I cringe inwardly at the idea of what I’m visualizing. That doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t attempt some of those endeavors, but it probably does mean that she is talking to me—or at least to people like me—pretty directly and intentionally in that statement.
I guess part of my strong reaction is that I feel irresponsible when I walk a different pathway than I am accustomed to taking. I like the familiar, and I cling to it—perhaps too tightly. It feels strange to imagine scheduling a time when I “force” myself to try to be more free; there’s so much irony in that concept that I would feel uncertain as to what to even do with myself during that time. What does this say about me? Perhaps it’s an indicator that God wants me to be more flexible and open to trying new things, and not so rigid in my routines.
As I have found with so many of the ideas in the second half of this book, I am feeling a conviction that I need to push myself to experiment with some of these recommendations. Even though they sound foreign, frightening, unnatural, or disruptive, perhaps they would do precisely what the book’s title suggests: renew me. Romans 12:3 reminds us: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” Perhaps my way of doing things isn’t necessarily the best way of doing things. And I’ll just be honest: even typing that last sentence admittedly makes me cringe a little. My sober judgment (and perhaps my children too, if I really think about it) is prodding me to find time for the fun in life and to be more free. Would it be absurd as well as antithetical for me to add “loosening up a little” to my beloved to-do list? (Yes, I realize she claims you literally can’t do that. Just a feeble attempt at levity.)
If you have a personality like mine, join me today in opening your heart, surrendering your affection for control and routine, and allowing God to help bring out your playful side! Who knows what blessings we will find in putting down our backpack of responsibility for an hour or two occasionally?
