Saturday, Dec 2, 2023
“Just Announced: Christmas Sabbath Needed!”
Aha! It’s already the second Saturday of the Holiday Season! Can you believe it? After today, we only have three more Saturdays to finish it all. Where will we invest our time, especially our time at rest?
As for me, I’ve been busier than I’ve been in a long time. I’m not sure what I’m accomplishing, but I’m already recognizing that if I don’t start slowing down, I’m gonna miss the season. In some ways, that’s a good thing because I’m nearing the time with my own loved ones in a few weeks. But in other ways, the busyness that I’ve created can easily distract me from experiencing the Christmas that God intends for me. Saturday is supposed to be easy, but for some reason, it ain’t!
Some of the uneasiness I experience is because the following day (Sunday) is my busiest and most important day of the week. The rest of it is because I’m wound up just a bit too tightly. It’s difficult for me to completely let go and relax. Part of that is my DNA and how God made me. I can’t change that. Another part, however, is that I put a bit too much pressure on myself. Another part of it is that it’s just hard for me to sit still. I have lots of excuses, but the point of all of this is to force me to be still. That’s a difficult task for all of us, especially at this time of year.
This is the World Series of the local church world. We need to be at our very best, but I’m feeling behind. In my heart, I know that I’m not late. I’m just rushing and there’s almost no reason. I gotta slow it down. I need to slow it down. I can’t become frustrated with the traffic. I can’t become a prisoner to everyone else’s clock. I must follow the LORD and be patiently open to the manner by which God works. A few deep breaths will help, But a day of true rest will probably accomplish more than I could ever accomplish in the office.
Stop. Smell the roses (and the cider)! Take a sabbath and give God thanks for encouraging us to slow down and experience the blessings of the Holiday Season!
“Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, CEB)