© 2025 Amelie Chambord
The Kangaroo Revelation
At the Australian Zoo, I expected kangaroos to be bouncing all over the place—because, well, that’s what they do, right?
But when I finally got up close to them, they weren’t hopping. They weren’t even standing.
They were lounging—sprawled out, eyes half-closed, looking like they had nowhere to be and zero regrets about it.
And there I was, exhausted from life, standing there thinking: Wait… maybe they’re onto something.
These guys had mastered something I clearly hadn’t—the art of rest, presence, trust, and moving with purpose. And honestly? I needed to take some notes.
Lesson 1: Rest is Productive (No, Really—It’s a Thing)
We live in a world that treats busyness like a badge of honor. If you’re not constantly doing something, society makes you feel like you’re falling behind.
But kangaroos? They don’t stress about that. They know that rest isn’t lazy—it’s necessary.
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” — Anne Lamott
Kangaroos conserve energy, resting when needed so that when it’s time to move, they actually have the strength to do so. What if we treated rest the same way—not as an afterthought, but as fuel?
God literally built rest into creation:
Genesis 2:2-3 (ESV): “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.”
If God—who literally spoke the universe into existence—took time to rest, why do we act like we can survive without it?
Rest isn’t just about stopping—it’s about trusting that you are enough, even in stillness.
Lesson 2: Presence is More Powerful Than Constant Motion
And speaking of doing less… let’s talk about why just being is sometimes better than constantly doing.
As I watched the kangaroos chilling in the sun, I realized something: they weren’t trying to impress anyone. They weren’t performing, overthinking, or stressing about what came next. They were just there.
And honestly? That’s a skill we humans have completely lost.
We think we need to do more to matter more. But presence isn’t about productivity—it’s about being fully engaged in the moment.
“Wherever you are, be all there.” — Jim Elliot
I couldn’t help but think of that moment in Luke 10 where Martha was running around, stressed, trying to do all the things, while her sister Mary just sat at Jesus’ feet, soaking in His presence.
Luke 10:41-42 (NIV): “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Jesus wasn’t saying serving is bad, but He was pointing out that we miss so much when we’re too busy to simply be present.
Your presence is more valuable than your productivity.
Lesson 3: Trust the Provision, Stop the Panic
Okay, so kangaroos aren’t out here stressing about their next meal. But what about us? Turns out, Jesus had some things to say about that too.
Ever seen a kangaroo freaking out about where its next meal is coming from? Me neither.
These guys just live, knowing food will be there when they need it. Meanwhile, we spend half our time stressing over things that haven’t even happened yet.
Jesus literally told us to stop that:
Matthew 6:26 (NIV): “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
Translation: If God is feeding the kangaroos, the birds, and every other living creature, why do I think He won’t take care of me?
We panic about our finances, future, relationships, careers, and every detail in between. But trust isn’t about knowing every answer in advance. It’s about believing God will provide, even when we don’t see how.
Worry is the enemy of peace. Trust in God’s provision, and let go of the need to control everything.
Lesson 4: Move With Purpose, Not Just for the Sake of Moving
Kangaroos don’t waste energy. When they move, it’s for a reason—to find food, shelter, or escape danger.
Meanwhile, we humans? We run around like we’re in some kind of productivity Olympics, packing our schedules so tight that we forget to actually live.
“You can do anything, but not everything.” — David Allen
I used to think saying yes to every invitation, project, and responsibility meant I was being productive. Spoiler alert: It just made me tired. One week, I looked at my calendar and realized I had scheduled my life like I was running a billion-dollar empire.
But for what? Exhaustion isn’t an achievement.
Jesus had a mission, but He never rushed. Not every opportunity was a yes. He moved with intention, not out of obligation.
Be intentional. Not all movement is progress.
Soul Insights
1. Rest is Sacred – Not Just a Reward for Exhaustion
We often treat rest like a luxury we have to earn—something we only allow ourselves after we’ve hit the point of complete burnout. But God didn’t design rest as a reward for exhaustion; He built it into creation as a necessity.
Think about it—the Sabbath wasn’t an afterthought. It was one of the first things God established. If He, in all His infinite power, chose to rest, what makes us think we can run on empty and still function well?
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28
Do you treat rest as an intentional practice or as something you squeeze in when you’re about to collapse? What would it look like if you gave yourself permission to rest without guilt?
2. Presence is a Gift – The World Won’t End If You Slow Down
How often do we rush through moments, physically present but mentally checked out? We’re at dinner but scrolling on our phones. We’re talking to someone but thinking about tomorrow’s to-do list. We miss so much because we’re always looking ahead instead of being where we are.
The kangaroos at the zoo weren’t multitasking or worrying about their schedules. They were simply there.
Jesus Himself modeled this—fully present with people, never in a rush, always giving His full attention to those in front of Him. When Martha was distracted with all the tasks, Mary sat with Jesus, choosing what mattered most.
“Few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” — Luke 10:42
Are you truly present in your daily life, or are you constantly distracted? What small changes can you make to practice being fully in the moment?
3. Trust the Process – God’s Already Figured It Out
We stress about everything—our careers, finances, relationships, the unknowns ahead. But kangaroos? They just live. They don’t panic about where their next meal is coming from. They don’t lie awake at night overanalyzing the future.
Why? Because they instinctively trust in what’s already provided.
Jesus reminded us of this in Matthew 6:26—if God provides for the birds of the air, won’t He also take care of us?
But trusting God doesn’t mean we’ll always see the whole plan. Sometimes, He only gives us the next step. And that’s enough.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5
Where in your life are you holding onto worry instead of trusting God? How would your stress levels change if you actually believed God has your back?
4. Boundaries Matter – Saying ‘Yes’ to Everything Isn’t Holy
We think being helpful means saying yes to everything. We think being successful means filling every free moment with another task. But in reality, overcommitting isn’t a virtue—it’s a fast track to burnout.
Kangaroos move when they need to, not just for the sake of it. They conserve their energy for things that matter.
Jesus also had boundaries. He said no. He withdrew to quiet places to pray. He didn’t rush to every single request or let others dictate His schedule. He knew that not everything was His assignment.
“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” — Matthew 5:37
Are you saying yes to things because you feel obligated or because they align with your purpose? What’s one boundary you can set this week to protect your peace?
5. Live With Intention – A Full Schedule Isn’t the Same as a Full Life
We tend to think the busier we are, the more accomplished we must be. But have you ever had a week so packed that by Friday, you barely remember what happened?
That’s because movement without meaning is just motion. You can be constantly busy and still feel empty.
Kangaroos aren’t aimless. When they move, it’s with purpose—for food, for shelter, for survival. They don’t jump just to prove they can.
Jesus lived the same way. Every step, every miracle, every moment of rest—it was all intentional. He didn’t rush or waste time, but He also didn’t overload His days just to feel accomplished.
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.” — Ephesians 5:15-16
Are you filling your time with things that actually matter to you, or just keeping busy? If you could remove one unnecessary thing from your life right now, what would it be?
Final Thoughts: If Kangaroos Can Chill, So Can You
I walked into the Australian Zoo expecting to see some high-energy kangaroos. Instead, I got a life lesson in rest, trust, and being fully present.
Maybe the key to a peaceful, intentional life isn’t about doing more but about knowing when to pause, breathe, and trust that God has everything under control.
So, the next time you feel the urge to overwork, overthink, or overcommit—just remember:
Kangaroos don’t rush. Neither should you.
Your Turn: Let’s Talk!
Be honest—when’s the last time you let yourself rest without guilt? Or fully enjoyed a moment without thinking about the next thing?
Drop a comment and let’s swap stories—I want to hear from you!
© 2025 Amelie Chambord
Soul Path Insights 
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