Play Time

While the idea of playing is coming back into fashion for adults, we have a long way to go before it is "normal". As interactive beings, we have a need to toy with objects and ideas. We take these things and we pull them apart, we tinker with them and learn how cars and theological arguments are put together.  By spending time coloring in a coloring book or building a ship with legos, our brains have time to disengage from the stress and worries of a work environment and our minds are able to address the complex issues of staying on budget, of staying on schedule, of fitting within the work structure as we work to stay within the lines of a coloring page or to follow the pattern of a lego ship.

It is the same when we come to ideas of faith. As we work with people as the Body of Christ, we must employ a measure of playfulness. Yes, the church has traditions and ways of doing things, some of which are foundational to the understanding of God’s presence in the world through Jesus Christ. At the same time, we gather to worship and to get to know this supreme divine being who took on our humanity that we might have a deeper relationship with one another.

God created us with a sense of to use our imaginations, to engage in creative thinking and doing…in other words, to play. Think about the energy you feel as you carefully put together a model airplane, as you dig in the dirt to plant vegetables, or as you work on a quilted blanket. Yes, there is a lot of hard work involved in all of these tasks, but you are using your mind and body in a way that brings enjoyment to your soul. Think about the things that make you light up when you talk about them. These are the activities and hobbies that are times of play for you.

Let us find time to discover creative ways to refresh our senses and our understanding of play. As we play by ourselves and with others, we encounter the living God who desires each of us to connect with one another on a more intimate level and to realize that we are all children at heart. Reach out to the people around you, realizing they are your playmates and that we have more fun when we get along, than when we throw a temper tantrum to try to get our own way. Go forth and spend some time playing with your neighbors. Share a meal, a conversation, and time to simply wonder what you can learn from someone else.

Silverbrook United Methodist Church and Retreat Center is holding a Quiet Day Retreat (shh, no talking) for people to reflect upon the idea of playing and to also act in play. This retreat will be held Friday, October 25, 2013, from 10am-2pm. There is a suggested donation of $25 to cover materials and lunch.  Check out the Retreat Brochure for other offerings throughout the year.

www.silverbrook-umc.org/Pages/RetreatCenter.htm