Hello, church family!
It has been a good day off. I am so thankful for time to spend the day in comfy elastic-waist pants, cook and clean and winterize the garden, and stop WHENEVER I WANT to take a nap on the couch while watching a marathon of Bones. I probably haven't spoken more than 10 words in the last 10 hours. That may or may not sound like paradise to you, but for me it really recharges the batteries, and reminds me of how good life is. And it is very, very good.
Last week in worship, we talked together about the value of hard work and discipline, about taking responsibility for our mistakes, and about how responsible living honors God. We talked about how, when life gets messy, we can lose track of what is precious to us, and how so much of life consists of keeping the messiness under control so that the precious things remain precious. This week, we will talk about sabbath: about the importance of leaving the mess alone for awhile for the sake of rest, and family, and play, and the holiness in all of it.
Take a look at the first creation story in Genesis, if you can find the time, especially Genesis 1:26-2:3. You will see the balance there between work and rest that God has designed for us. It's spelled out in Exodus 23:12, and again in Deuteronomy 5, that God commands us to rest from our work one day in 7, in order to refresh our spirits. It is a good and holy thing to rest, even when -- especially when! -- the stresses of life and the drive to get things done feel overwhelming. It is good to stop awhile. To deliberately withdraw from all that consumes us in order to breathe slowly, and take a look around. When we do so, we remember that we are not just here to make a living, but to make a life. We keep things in perspective, being constantly reminded that the world really does keep turning without our help. And, we keep our priorities in order. To work is holy; to rest is holy, too. Remember the sabbath day, beloved, and keep it holy.
See you on Sunday!
Love and blessings,
Pastor Dawn
A Chronicle of the Life of Epworth United Methodist Church in Fallon NV
