Pastor’s
Ponderings…
“Come
to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble
in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is
easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
A young mother was describing
a terrible day she had experienced. The washing machine broke down,
the telephone kept ringing, her head ached, and the mail carrier
brought a bill she had no money to pay. Almost to the breaking point,
she lifted her one-year-old into his highchair, leaned her head
against the tray, and began to cry. Without a word, her son took
his pacifier out of his mouth and stuck it in hers. LOL
Does this sound like
a familiar story? I am sure it does and that is a problem. Some
days, weeks and even seasons seem to never end. But today Jesus
is saying: Come to me all of you who cannot cope, come to a place
of Sabbath with me... This is not just a day but a state of being
– ‘rest for our souls’.
In 1863, the
Civil War was raging and the end was far from sight. Abraham Lincoln
was out for a ride with his friend and aide Noah Brooks. Brooks,
noticing the president’s obvious fatigue, suggested that he
take a brief rest when they got back to the White House. “A
rest,” Lincoln replied, “I don’t know about a
rest. I suppose it’s good for the body, but the tired part
of me is inside and out of reach.”
There is not
a tired part of any of us that is out of the reach of Jesus’
calm assurance. This is exactly what Jesus is talking about. It
isn’t only taking a nap and resting our bodies but it is resting
our souls.
Let me ask you, “What
is it that truly gives you a lift? What is it that gives you joy?
What is it that refreshes and renews you?” I want you to think
about it and if you are not sure, let me make a suggestion. At the
end of each day, briefly go over your day and note the places that
were truly enjoyable – where were you or what were you doing
that you felt removed from any stress, any worries or fears? Do
this everyday until you see a pattern of places where you are rested
and relaxed and remind yourself that Jesus wants this for you –
this place of rest. It is one of the ways we experience a Sabbath.
This summer
Team Spirit wants to help each one of you experience Sabbath. We
will provide you with ideas and exercises that will suit your unique
style and personality. Not everyone likes to exercise and not everyone
likes to read but everyone gets connected to God in their own special
way.
Finding a Sabbath time
helps us care for ourselves. It is a time when our inner sanctuary
finds true rest. Read the scriptures, Jesus always takes time for
a Sabbath. He knows that he needs it and we need it, too.
In the Lord’s
love and joy,
Pastor Janet
Top of page |