The Rest of Our Days
Today's Labor Day. Summertime's final fling. Some will shop, plan or panic, readying for school tomorrow. Others are at the beach. I watch them hauling beach paraphernalia, as I write. It's a bit chilly but nothing like it's going to be, all too soon. So we do what we can to celebrate and savor summer's slow, sweet leaving.
We all need breaks, including nature. Rest is restorative. Sunday's help restore me. I need belonging to a Church family. A focused time to worship God, and be reminded there's more to life than work and worry. This morning I read the following, "Sundays are sacred for me. They're my time to reset. For starters I sleep late..."The author's not the first one to claim Sundays for herself. Me Time, is a popular phrase in our culture. And some time alone to restore, regroup, rethink matters. But what I exchange for Me time matters, perhaps even more.
Then, I read in the Bible about God and Moses spending We Time together, up on a mountain. And all because God's heart and mind were focused on Us, time and time again. While Moses took notes on The Ten Commandments, folks at the base of the mountain grew restless. And sometimes to be rest-less sets us up to make poor choices, like when we're sleep deprived or caught in a never-ending cycle of activity or worry. So God's beloved children got restless, and tired of waiting for Moses or God to act. And, in that state, they talked Aaron into crafting a god they could see. You know, like the kind other nearby nations worshipped.(Exodus 31 and 32)
And shazam!! Well, it was like magic, according to Aaron's explanation to his irate brother, Moses. The recipe? Just toss in all the gold jewelry that the Isaelites took from the Egyptians and , next thing you know, you've got yourself a tangible god. An idol, like a golden calf. Or some might say, "a lot of bull."
So, obviously, what is sacred and what constitutes a god mean different things to different folks. But, I believe God has a better idea about what is holy, sacred. A lot of them, actually. Those Ten Commandments are good for starters. Like #1, "Don't make up some kind of God you prefer. I am the Lord your God. " And #3, "remember that Sunday is not ME day it is God's." Well, so are all the others, actually. But Sunday is to be a day of rest and worship. It's a gift from God, a labor free day. Or at least, as labor free as possible. It was created for our good, a break from the usual.
So what's happened to Sunday in our culture? To Church? And to us in the process? Psalm 106: 20 sums up the story of Aaron and the making of that moral mess like this, "They traded their glorious God for a statue of a grass-eating bull."(NLT) Well, I don't really want to think on this. But I've gotta ask myself, "What's the bull I'm trusting?" Or where have I swapped God for a god that I think I can control? Kinda like a magic Gimme God.
Well, school officially starts tomorrow for many. But school's not over for any of us. Staying teachable is part of growing and maturing. And that means listening, which is not the same as hearing. Listening to God, most of all, to be sure we're not paying attention to the wrong god.
As to hearing, my sister Chris sent this to me yesterday:
Husband: "The nerve of that doctor. Saying I'm so old that he referred me to an archaeologist."
Wife: "Audiologist, dear. You can't hear."
So, as one who is old, sometimes hard of hearing and impatient to really listen, I'm trying to reflect on time and the worth of each day. We read in Psalm 118 : 24," This is a the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." (NLT) Rejoice on Sunday and Monday. And Buechner wrote, " If you waste it, it is your life that you're wasting...today is the only day there is."
So love today for all it's worth. And not just because it's Labor Day, a holiday, but because it is one of those days God gifted us.
And love those around you, too.
Trust God, not some worthless idol.
And trust Jesus with the rest of your life.
Jesus invites us to a better way in Matthew 11: 28-30 in The Message, "Are you tired ? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life...walk and work with me...Learn the unforced rhythms of grace."
Am I ready to learn a different rhythm for the rest of my days?
The unforced, unhurried pace of Grace?
Sounds rest-full.
8 Comments
I am a born introvert who has learned to function as an extrovert, so while I appreciate “Me Time” to rest and read, I also think it can be used to justify too much of an inward focus. I love the idea of We Time” when it comes to our relationship with God. When we have that, it sets the course for all the rest. I always look forward to your thoughts, dear Jan. And thanks for sharing humor from Chris!
You're so welcome, my dear Nowegian sister, Maggie. We learn from each other. And, when you think of it, one of the gifts of being part of a church family is WE TIME. Chris, like you, is a gift to me, She reads your blogs, too. So I can no longer pass along your wisdom as if it came from me.. Ufda!
I am an introvert (married to an extrovert!) - and the older I get the more introverted I become! But I know being with other believers is so important - and not just because the Bible tells us to! I can personally testify to how good it is to dwell in the House of the Lord with my brothers and sisters in the Lord. I do admit to having to give myself a pep talk to get there sometimes though :). I'm doing a short, excellent Bible plan by Mark Batterson called "Win the Day" - he says "What does it mean to win the day? It's living like each day is the first day and last day of your life, which is both an art and a science." And - "as to hearing" - Steve and I are going to get a hearing test today! :) <3
It's a rare day I don't get an offer in the mail for sAs to winning the day...it is important to see each day with the excitement of its newness. And to realize the reality that, as Buechner wrote, "It is the only day we have." it oul be all we have. Like Buechner wrote, to live it like it's the only day we have." If I really did that, I might be feeling in panic mode about now. So I lean into trusting Jesus and praying for wisdom and strength to live moment by moment, faithfully.
Wonderful insight and reminders, as usual. Thank you Jan!
You are so welcome, dear Alyssa. As a new mom, it's no small think that you take some of your time to read this blog. Blessings on you and your wee one and Andrew in Utah. I'm praying for your state after the tragic shooting yesterday. We need to find ways to disagree without killing or using words that wound or incite to violence.