Spiritually Speaking
Rest
January 5, 2018
Let me say a few words about rest. Becky and I try to take some time away at the end of every calendar year. Sometimes we are successful. This year we were able to spend several days at the Roman Nose Lodge near Watonga. Since the weather was so cold, we didn’t wander around the state park very much, but spent most of our time relaxing and viewing the scenery from the dining room at the lodge or through the windows of our well-warmed Honda. By the end of our trip, my outlook had changed from partly cloudy to warm and sunny; despite the outside temperature.
Our annual excursions have two important catalysts. First, we want to rejoice and give thanks for our ongoing marriage. Next Tuesday (the 9th) we will complete our 34th year together. She has always been God’s greatest blessing to me and our union is certainly worth celebrating. It is also a convenient time of year to sneak away. Grades for the fall are squared away and I can still convince myself that any remaining preparations for the spring can be handled on the hurry-up when we get home. The fact that one of our elders, Greg Miller, does an excellent job filling the pulpit while I sit one out is helpful as well!
During our trip, I’ve been reading a book by Dr. Rubel Shelly entitled “Written in Stone, Ethics for the Heart.” It is a well-organized look at the Ten Commandments for those of us who just happen not to be Jewish. It is printed by Howard Publishers of West Monroe, Louisiana. If you’d like to, give it a look.
Tonight, before bed, I was reading the section on Sabbath (the fourth commandment). He brought up something that had escaped my attention all these years. Not only does this commandment call for a day of rest and remembering, it also celebrates the other six days of effort and accomplishment. “Six days shalt thou work ...” sets up the invective against working on the Sabbath. Work itself is a gift of God, as is the opportunity to cease from our labors and celebrate the work that only He can do.
See you Sunday.
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