It’s days like these that remind me why I retired from church work in the first place. It is an absolutely glorious October Sunday, with a cool bite to the air. The sun casts long rays heightening contrasts and color. I’m tempted to grab my camera, but laziness and a third cup of coffee hold me back.
A recent visitor to this site is a Presbyterian Minister who has his own blog, and on it he had some interesting observations about the Sabbath – Ahhh– Sunday. The Sabbath. Day of Rest. What a Crock!
A Sabbath is a stillness. "Be still, and know that I am God."
A Sabbath is a quietness. "Let all the earth keep silent before him."
A Sabbath is a rest from work. "You have six days to do all your work, but the seventh is a Sabbath to the Lord."
There are some sins that do not tempt me. I don’t struggle with them at all.
I’ve never killed. Not literally. A little hate in my heart, which Jesus counted as being as good as murder, but give me credit for never appearing on Court TV.
I’ve never stolen — well, not since that fountain pen I stole from the drug store in high school. You know teenagers and their dares and double dare ya’s.
But Sabbath rest? I’ve never actually obeyed that one.
So, after a long day of travel from the Northwest yesterday, I’ll let my substitute handle the choir this morning. At 11:15, I realized I could have made it to church, but why upset well-made plans?
Years ago, when I was in my twenties/ early thirties, I became mixed up with a fundamentalist Christian church.
After several years, I realised that they were control freaks in a successful profit making enterprise.
However one major truth stays with me (I have never joined any other group, religious or political). THe Sabbath!!
When I observed this day of no work and navel gazing (for want of a better description)I found that I never needed a holiday. The bible did not say “48 weeks shall ye labour and on the next 4 have a break”.
Coming home on Friday night with all food prepared, no TV, meditative bible reading, followed by a quiet Saturday and church, then flowing into Saturday night and Sunday, I went back to work on Monday totally refreshed.
Odd that this physical positive does not seem to be stressed by clergy – I would have thought it would be self evident to them. They seem to promote it as a rule and obligation, not a benefit.
I have not actually observed it since I left that church, but am mindful of the need to have periods of mental and Physical relaxation.
Since the relaxation of shop trading hours, there seems to be a resultant increase of rage (road, parking etc etc). When shops closed at midday Saturday, people were forced to get out of the rat race for at least a day.
Any thoughts on the subject?