I have found that when I ask people how they are doing there
response is often “I’m busy”.
Sometimes this is followed by a list of what they need to do or a sense
of frazzledness (is that a word?!).
I often find myself saying the same thing. So . . . I’ve been paying attention to how often I respond
that way . . . and I realize it’s way too often. Is there anything wrong with being busy? I don’t think there is if we are busy
about the right things. And yet,
even when we are busy about the right things, if we don’t take time to rest,
the Sabbath God talks about, we will crash and burn or just run around in a
frenzy.
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| Sr. Juliann enjoying art |
Taking Sabbath time is not always as easy as it sounds. What does Sabbath time mean? Often when I’ve been running too hard
and for too long, I crash and move into inactivity which is not what I believe
Sabbath time is all about. Sabbath
is about resting and renewing. It’s
finding what helps you rest and be renewed. This is different for everyone. For me it is a conversation with a good friend, praying and
worshiping with our community, a long walk in the beauty of God’s creation,
taking time for art and journaling, sharing a movie with community and talking
about it afterwards. It’s not
about doing nothing. It’s about
doing something that renews my spirit and opens me up to receive God’s
grace. When I take time for
Sabbath, I am more ready to do God’s work and not my work of busyness.
Reflection:
Do you take Sabbath Time during the week? Even if you can’t take a whole day, can
you take a couple of hours of time to rest and be renewed? When you think of things that are
restful and renewing, what are they?
Can you incorporate at least one in your week?
Holy God,
You call us to take Sabbath time
So that we can rest and be renewed in you.
Help us remember that all life comes from you.
May all we do glorify you in the life that you have given
us.
We ask thin in your most holy Name.
