Today with Faith and the Magic Kingdom by Randy Crane, I am reading about, ‘Why We Need a Blowdown’ ~ and I couldn’t agree more!
**photo credit to www.mikerails.com
*photo credit www.startedbyamouse
In this segment the author Randy compares the blowdown of a #Disneyland train to the importance of a blowdown for us as people. What is a blowdown? Sludge from the sediment of minerals in the water used to fill and refill the steam train engine, along with other chemicals that build up inside the boiler of the train, can create an explosion if a blowdown is not down regularly throughout the day. When the train operator is doing a blowdown you will see a large amount of white steam coming from the trains engine along with a loud hissing noise – the train is blowingdown .. and out all the sediment, getting rid of the built up impurities.
Randy describes how we need a ‘blowdown’ as well – he says, “Think about the pressure in our lives. We are always under pressure. From work. From home. From friends. From other organizations we may be a part of. Even from ourselves. When that happens, we may want to just push through and keep going. We don’t have time to stop and do anything else.”
BUT- as the daily pressures of life build within us, so does the “sediment in our hearts”. If we don’t “blowdown” we can become, “passive-aggressive, resentful – avoid church and other believers…… risk an explosion!”
How do we prevent this and use this blowdown method? By taking some time away from these stresses. Randy tells us that, “Scripture repeatedly reminds us of the dangers of not taking time to “blow down” the boiler of our hearts and clean out the sediment.” He quotes, Hebrews 10:25, which tells us the importance of continually meeting with other Christians. This gives us encouragement, strength, and help with the littlest and the biggest pressures in life. He also uses the example of Jesus taking the apostles to a quiet place away from everyone for a much needed rest in Mark 6:31-32. We may not be able to run off to our happy place of rest, #WaltDisneyWorld or Disneyland every time we need to “blow down”, but maybe a quiet hour in the morning before everyone awakes, or a walk around the neighborhood or even meeting with a friend for a cup of coffee and a bit of laughter. Take that time to “blow down” the “impurities” that build up daily from day to day living. Set aside some quiet moments with our Lord and ask him to help “blow down” and blow out all the sediment settling in your heart ~ Psalm 23:3 “He restores my soul” ~ Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
