|
Sunday I named one of the hindrances around keeping the sabbath as a question of worthiness or deserving. I know it can be true for me, and several of you have named that or something similar in your own wrestling. I’d thought about one other aspect to address, the reality of discipleship that calls us to love sacrificially, to put others before ourselves, and note that alone can dissuade self-care or sabbath keeping. But none of my arguments really had the oomph that kept it in the sermon. I can speak to an intellectual and experiential knowledge that, without time of rest and recuperation, no amount of “more work” will suffice, or often even be worthwhile. Or more simply put: you can’t pour yourself out without taking time to be filled. Yesterday, during our District Operations meeting, the devotion offered utilized Psalm 23, but before it was read, we were asked to listen to the pronouns. The “me” pronouns. We were reminded that Psalm 23, in all its familiarity, in all its beauty, is quite particularly written from the perspective of the reader. From my perspective. From yours. The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures; leads me beside still waters; restores my soul. It was a reminder, and an invitation, and I offer it in turn to you. As you enter into your own time of rest today, or this weekend – whether it’s a full-day sabbath or a time of rest distinguishing itself from busy-ness – I invite you to read Psalm 23, and pay attention to the pronouns. To what God offers to you. Rev. Ben Richards Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me. You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.
|
