Are celebration and rest regular parts of your lifestyle?

I’m not just asking if you agree with celebration and rest as concepts. I’m asking if you regularly incorporate celebration and rest into your daily flow of living, working, creating and producing. When was the last time you intentionally and fully celebrated a win in your world? And when was the last time you took at least 24 hours off to unplug and take a real rest? Let me ask you . . . can you even remember?

On today’s episode of the Positioned to Prosper podcast, I’m sharing about the importance of celebration and rest as vital components of creativity and productivity because, for most of my adult life, I failed to make room for them, and it showed. My health was a mess and I was exhausted and run down all the time. I could not figure out how I could be working so hard, but not seeing more progress. I was so frustrated.

It wasn’t until I had a major health relapse in 2014 and 2015 that I was forced to slow down and take look at the cadence I’d been keeping. Even though I knew the importance of celebration and rest, cerebrally, I wasn’t practicing either of these things regularly. But when my digestive system and hormones decided to abruptly take a break, I had no choice but to sit still and consider how to work real celebration and rest into my flow. I’m so glad I did!

Is my story speaking to you today? Are you burned out, broken down and exhausted because you’re only cycling through the preparation and productivity phases of creativity while leaving out the celebration and rest for some time “later?” If so, then this is the episode for you, my friend! Are you ready to have a listen? Then grab your journal and a pen, and . . . Let’s Go!

What you will learn in this episode:

• The basic 4-step flow for creating like God does;
• How the practices of celebration and rest fit into that flow;
• What can happen when you don’t embrace celebration and rest as part of your creative or productivity flow; and
• What happens when you make room and intention for celebration and rest as a part of your flow.

Scripture References mentioned in this episode:

Genesis 1:1-4 —
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good.

Genesis 2:1-3 —
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

Matthew 11:28-30 MSG —
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Links to Resources Mentioned in This Episode

I mentioned a talk by Graham Cooke called — The Practice of Rest. Graham also has other recorded and written resources, as well as an online membership called BrilliantTV. I recommend everything he puts out. He’s absolutely, well . . . Brilliant!

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Our 9th Annual REVIVE Women’s Conference is coming up on May 14th & 15th and you are invited to join us. Come be revived in the presence of God, filled afresh by His Spirit, and encouraged and sharpened in community with like-minded women who have a sound for the Kingdom and the boldness to shout it out. Do you need this? Then jump on in, Sister!

Online tickets are just $29 and include three teaching sessions, worship, chances to win sweet prizes and a few other surprises we’ve been cooking up just for you. You’ll also have access to the replays. We cannot wait to host you this year as we celebrate Coming Out of the Wilderness in the power of the Holy Spirit. Are you ready? Click below to grab your seat!

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Erica co-leads a local church alongside her husband, Doug, in Tampa, Florida called REVIVE Church of Tampa. You can visit the church’s website for more information about who we are, what we believe and how we show up as the Church in the heart of West Tampa and beyond.

REVIVE Church of Tampa

REVIVE Church of Tampa streams services live on Friday nights at 7pm ET and Sunday mornings at 11am ET. You can find those livestreams on our church Facebook page:

Live Services – Fridays at 7pm ET and Sundays at 11am ET

If you’re interested in joining the online campus of REVIVE Church of Tampa, you are welcome to join our community group on Facebook where we offer weekly discussion around the Friday and Sunday messages as well as discipleship Zoom groups and the opportunity to host others in your home as you stream services. You can find us here:

The ROCC: REVIVE Online Campus Community

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About this podcast:

Positioned to Prosper is a weekly podcast that covers the ins and outs of what it means to live a lifestyle of breakthrough and victory in your relationships, health, finances and beyond. Your host, Erica Pyle, is no stranger to jumping without the proverbial parachute while maintaining a firm grip on godly wisdom. A self-described slayer of pragmatism and a “walk by faith” kind of girl, Erica is an unabashed believer in the power of God to radically transform lives. Front-footed in faith as she offers straight-up truth, strategies, and wisdom for living victoriously, and equipped with her love for the word of God, her certification as a holistic health coach, and years of experience in personal finance and taxation, Erica is ready to help you get positioned to prosper.