Recreation to Re-Creation

Once upon a time a pastor from our church brought a small toy home from his travels to his kids in Cedar Rapids.  It was a simple helicopter type toy made of rubber bands and small propellers.  Even though it wouldn’t stay up in the air very long, the children were fascinated by it.  They spent hours winding it up, watching it fly and then fall back to earth again.  Even though they were just playing with a toy, something powerful was happening. 

 

Playing is closely associated with the word, “recreation.”  In addition to playing, when I think of “recreation” I also have thoughts of such things as games and summer vacations.  The ancient use of the word referred to “refreshment or returning to health of a sick person.”  You can still see in the word a combination of “re-“ and “-creation” which suggests a new birth or a changed life. 

There are great benefits from recreation.  Playing can develop the important skill of imagination.  Imagination inspires creativity and the ability to see previously unknown solutions to problems.  Games can develop a sense of self-discipline that comes from competition as well as the ability to learn cooperation when a team is involved.  And vacations help people to see the world from a different perspective than their home town.  All of these are valuable skills for adults as well as children.

In a world that is constantly changing, recreation can be an important means to achieving “re-creation” and a new way of living.  This is especially needed when we come to the realization that our perception of the way things are is in reality a memory of the way things used to be.  Imagination, self-discipline, cooperation and seeing the broader perspective will be needed to face our future.

So who was the pastor that brought the flying toy home to his children in Cedar Rapids?  His name was the Rev. Milton Wright and of course you know his children as the brothers Orville and Wilbur.

 

We need leaders in our church and in our world with imagination and self-discipline who can work with a team and see the broader perspective.  Will you be one of those leaders?  If you will take time for recreation, it may lead to our “re-creation.”  Then we will be able to do things like imagine a world with no malaria and have the discipline to work together as a team to transform the world for the better as God guides us.  It can happen with your help.