|
Sunday begins a new sermon series, Sabbath as Resistance. I’m excited to spend time together in worship considering our call to it – it is one of the Ten Commandments, after all – what it might look like for us still today, and why it continues to be of deep importance. Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Exodus 20.8 (NRSV) Even still, this week I’ve struggled around its practice. Some unexpected health issues upset my schedule the last two weeks, and as Sunday and other deadlines loom, I find myself behind. Beyond that, I don’t really feel like I deserve time off, given that this week in particular has been less productive than it could have been. Even if that’s because of things beyond my control. Now, first: let me apologize for the glimpse into the mess that is my mind. But I share that because a) I doubt I’m the only one with that internal dialogue from time to time, and b) that’s a part of what scripture speaks to around sabbath. The commandment isn’t to earn it, or keep it only when we have. We are called to keep it holy. I dare say that such work is beyond our capacity to do alone. We are made holy, sanctified, only through the gift of God’s grace, which means a) it is unearned, and b) our part in it is to accept that unearned gift and let it be at work in us. Sabbath is holy because God said so. We are reconciled because God made it so. Remembering the sabbath and keeping it holy isn’t just one way we give thanks for this, it’s how we pause to consider and enable God’s gift of grace to be at work in us. More on that Sunday… Alongside the import of sabbath, over the next few weeks we’ll explore a diversity of ways we might practice rest, renewal, contemplation, play, and worship. And, as the above paragraphs likely make apparent: you don’t want all of those ideas coming from me. A few of you have agreed to write some thoughts about how you practice sabbath, and I’d love to have more. Some will be shared in the weekly blog during the series, so please let me know if you’re interested or would like to know more. And even if you aren’t comfortable writing something to be shared here, I would love the opportunity to hear how you practice rest, renewal, contemplation, play, and worship. In the meantime, and before I see you next, I pray you will take a moment to rest. To consider God’s goodness. To keep the sabbath holy. Grace and Peace be with us. Rev. Ben Richards
|
