Space to rest...

We journeyed north and ithroiugh from Greymouth over through beautiful valleys and then over Takaka Hill to Golden Bay up in the north of this South Island. It was the part of journey that signalled less exploration and more rest. It was everything we needed after the year past. Sea was warm, beaches that were full of space and well don't these views say it all. How blessed we are! What a beautiful space to rest.




Here is where Abel TAsman touched down at Ligar Bay.


Being on the edge of Abel Tasman NAtional Park we entered at our nearest end and doid a short walk to Taupo Point. We only got so far as the tide wasn't fully out. However there was a less coastal route, so I on behalf of the others set off up the steep cliff through the bush amongst the cicadas sounding loudly and the steamy heat. At the top I came out and saw this....


I truly felt like an explorer as I saw it for the first time. It made me stop a while, before heading back down.

So spaces to rest... this coming week when so much of church seems to be abuzz with doing and activity that drains and demands of people, it is my hope that our Lenten journey on Highgate will begin for us the practice of hospitality, that can only truly begin to happen genuinely, if there is a restfulness to it, but also space to get restless as a result of the rest is needed. Hence, I have put out a simple journal that will go out for the next few weeks based on a few psalms. Following all the changes we've undergone to pursue mission, I feel we need to create spaces to rest and the mutual building of one another up in faith.