The Result of Busy: The Reason for Sabbath

Where have I been for the past several months? I often ask myself the same question. The answer is "I have been busy." Perhaps I have been busier than every before in my life.  Extra demands at work have been the primary pressure, but I have an added one this Spring as well: it is nearly May and I am still going to the YMCA every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (OK, not every week do I get to all three, but I go go every week).  As I ponder the semester behind since I have 8 days of class left before exams I wonder what has happened.

But more than assess what caused the busy, today I finally have a thought on what the busy caused. Being overly busy results in a lack of creativity, yes, the artistic side of the brain that needs the appropriate atmosphere to actually ignite and explode.  Busy shuts out the time for creativity.

Why is that important?  Well, as part of God's creation we are called to be part of the creative process.  The lack of mental space prevents creative time.  So, why Sabbath?  Those familiar with my phrase "I heart LA" know that one prominent reason to Sabbath is so that we feed our legalistic side of self.  I didn't say it was a proper reason, only a prominent one!

One proper reasons to Sabbath is so that we can be an active part of God's creative effort in his universe.  Creativity is often related to inspiration, the life breathing activity of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in this physical world to which we are bound.

So, Sabbath for a reason.  See your creativity explode!

The Urgent Need for Rest

GO, go, Go, then go some more.  That seems to be the theme of our culture.  Coupled with SPEND, spend, Spend some more, and don't be afraid to use that credit card, this culture is at risk of two Catastrophic problems.  First, bad decisions and Second, horrific consequences to those bad decisions.

Rush, rush, rush.  Pass laws without reading or debating.  Negative criticism against those who "impede progress." What happened to the day of rest??

I must admit that the first 25 days of January have been a rush from one moment to the next.  My plans for today–I have none.  I only have this morning, this afternoon, and this evening.  I choose to blog at this hour, cook breakfast earlier, walk the dog later, nap or wash dishes??  Who knows what today holds, for today is a day for REST.

As I ponder these last 25 days I see only a blur with an occasional clearing.  Activities engaged in, people met with, classes taught, reports turned in.  Yet none of these provided ongoing, energetic motivation for the next day.  The famous words, "let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die" are words of hopelessness.  Hopelessness about the future breeds the rushing, get all you can today mentality.

So why a day of Rest?  To demonstrate to yourself that activities come and activities go, but activities do not fulfill nor do they endure. When all is said and all is done, life is only about the people you love and serve, and about those who lovingly serve you.

Get off the accelerator!!  Slow down, put your life in park, and enjoy the beauty that is around you.

Bringing in the New Year

The end of one period of 365 or 366 days and the start of another is a time for looking back and for looking forward. The looking back has its own therapeutic value, considering the good, positive, and beneficial moments and giving thoughtful meditation on those moments that would be considered negative.  The looking forward and the resolution process has fewer benefits, especially when any "goal" setting is limited to the "goal" with no consideration given to the "means" to achieve that goal.

So why does this day of the year get more attention than any other day?  Does the increase of a single integer hold such influential power? The biblical perspective would challenge this social practice. Matthew 6:34 records the word of Jesus saying, "do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (NASB)  Is it possible that the current focus on the past and on the future is an attempt to forget about today?

I have heard Kingdom living described as living each day fully in the present.  The failure of individual believers to live in the present culture where God has placed him or her prevents the Kingdom from influencing their culture.  Perhaps the best New Year's Resolution should be focused on living today within the kingdom and allowing tomorrow to care for itself.  This is not a denial of goals coupled with means, but it is an affirmation of living fully in the present with the God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

For a modern philosopher's take on the new year see:
http://www.arcamax.com/thefunnies/pickles/s-1249770

Luke's Christmas Story

During the time following John’s birth these things took place.  The emperor of Rome, Augustus, declared that all the inhabitants of the empire should be counted.  This was the first census that occurred while Quirinius was ruling the province of Syria.  Now all the inhabitants went forth to be counted, each one going to his own city.  Joseph, departing the town of Nazareth in Galilee, went up to Judea to the town of Bethlehem, the city of David, because he was from the household and lineage of David, and he took with him Mary, who had been promised to him as a wife, who was now pregnant.

         While they were there in Bethlehem her time came and she gave birth to her first-born son, and she wrapped him in cloths and laid him down in a feeding crib because there was no room in the place of lodging for them.

         In the same region there were shepherds outside of town guarding their sheep during the night watch.  An angel of the Lord stood over them and the glory of the Lord illuminated them and they were tremendously scared.  Then the angel said:

“Do not be scared! See! I am proclaiming to you a tremendous joy which will be joy for all people: A Savior has been born today in the city of David, the Lord’s anointed, the Messiah!  This is how you will know, you will find a newborn wrapped in cloths and lying in a feeding crib.”

Suddenly, a heavenly army appeared with the angel praising God while saying:

         “Glory be to God in the highest places

         Peace be to those whom God favors on earth.”

As the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds were talking among themselves:

“Let us go quickly as far as Bethlehem and let us see the word of the event that the Lord made known to us.”

Going with all haste they looked for it, even Mary and Joseph, but especially the newborn lying in the feeding crib. Upon seeing this they made known the message spoken to them concerning this infant.  Everyone hearing these words was amazed at the reports by the shepherds.  But Mary treasured all these words, pondering them in her heart.  Then the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for everything they heard and saw, because it was just like they had been told.

Stan Harstine Translation