The Way of Love – Rest


And on the seventh day God finished the work that God had done, and God rested on the seventh day from all the work that God had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that God had done in creation. Genesis 2:2-3

Rest is fundamental and foundational in our faith.  God ordained it in creation when even God rested on the seventh day from all God’s labors – creation is hard work!  And yet we live in a day and age where there never seems to be enough time for rest – true rest, a time of respite and renewal.  As the secular world demands more and more of our strength and energy, nothing seems to be left over to offer to our rest and refreshment.  Rather our attention is caught up in screens of some sort – playing video games, binging TV or movies, even watching sports – it’s all DOING something rather than BEING.  And yet we are called human BEINGS, not human DOINGS.

As with most aspects of life, unless we make time for it, it will not happen, like going to the doctor/dentist or even making out our wills.  The same is true about rest – we have to make it happen. There is an intentionally that cannot be overlooked.  If we want to “unplug,” we may have to let those who are used to us being available ALL THE TIME that the phone and computer will be off for 24 hours (you might want to let at least one person know where you are in case of an emergency, but other than that – let it go!). 

Similarly, our society has become so addicted to our devices, we don’t know how to amuse ourselves – or even just be – without them.  Suddenly the idea of 16 hours of unstructured time seems untenable.  “What will I do?  I’ll be utterly bored!”  The challenge is not to fill up that time with all the projects and errands that you never have time for, but to use the time to reconnect with yourself and with God – and possibly other loved ones.  What that looks like to you is personal, but it should not be something that demands so much of your attention (like a theme park!) that you don’t talk and listen to each other.

Jesus modeled this behavior to his disciples.  The Scripture tell us how Jesus goes off by himself to pray on a regular basis.  It was something he NEEDED to do to be in communion with God.  We need it to, but too often we think Sunday worship is enough.  It is not.  As much as I enjoy liturgy, unstructured prayer time is an important and necessary part of our relationship with God.  Meditation, deep breathing, even yoga (as long as it is not too vigorous) offers opportunities to seek and find God, particularly within ourselves. When we make the time to reconnect with God in us, we are able to meet the demands of our lives with more vigor and single-mindedness to love God and our neighbor as we love ourselves.

As we approach the holy three days – the Triduum – the most sacred part of our Church calendar, when we remember Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection, I pray you find some time to rest in the midst of all the action.  Even Jesus rested in the tomb for 2 days.
Make time for yourself to rest. If once a week is too much, start with 4 hours once a month, and slowly increase the amount of time.  I guarantee that the more time we truly rest, the closer we will feel to God and the healthier – spiritually – we will be.

May you have a blessed Triduum, finding in life in Christ this Easter.

In Christ,
Rev. Valerie+

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