I've noticed a theme in a variety of recent unrelated incidents: an emailed algorithm-derived book recommendation suggesting that one day a week should be entirely screen-free, a snail-mail flyer for a yoga retreat, a social media advert promising to take care of all my health issues by learning how to meditate (at a significant cost, mind!), overheard conversations on the "trend" of breathing deeply to improve sleep. The theme is undeniable: rest!
The underlying concern that this
suggests to me is that society has forgotten how to do just that -we've turned
away from the practice of rest, and have even lost the language. We now are
expected to pay significant sums and commit much of our time to (re-)learn how
to do what should come simply - and naturally - to us. Our days are busy, our
calendars are jam-packed (mine's colour-coded). Our weekends are for catching
up on chores (and just-one-more work email!), and we plan our 'vacation' time
to maximize our pre-conceived goals and objectives.
So what about rest? Given how we
plan and over-plan our lives, it's no wonder we've dropped the ball on resting.
We have forgotten to keep the sabbath.
Sabbath, of course, is not merely a
day off or a square on the calendar, it's not a legalistic demand to be counted
in days and hours. Sabbath is a holy time, an intentional commitment to
"pray and play", to reconnect with God and with our true selves. It
is the restorative rest that brings us home.
Sabbath encourages us to embrace exactly
who we are, rather than trying to fit into a societal mold. It makes us crave
the deep breath not just of oxygen, but of the spiritual grace that God
continually showers upon us. It provides a grounding not just of the body to
the earth, but of one of God's creatures celebrating the multitude of
connections with the rest of God's creation. It rejuvenates our souls to be the
joy-filled and light-hearted centre of the human that is called to live out a
holy ministry.
Sabbath, as Christians understand
it, is a great gift that we are invited to delight in; even in the world of
non-stop news and events and gatherings. It can happen any time we wish, when
we recognise our disconnection from the source of all love, and make the
commitment to desire to return.
"There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for
anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did
from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that
no one will perish by following their example of disobedience." (Heb 4.9-11)
Thanks for the lovely nudge to remember, Laura Marie. I especially appreciate your insight that, for something so basic and natural, we now think we have to invest significant resources in re-learning to rest. Wishing you a peaceful and restorative Sabbath.
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