Presented September 13, 2020 by Rev. Jesse Larson
Based on Genesis 2:1-4
This past Tuesday, I had one of those days when I entered one of the nine circles of technological hell.
I’m sure you are also familiar with this tortuous experience. After the internet had been out for most of the day, it was finally restored. But only a few websites would load on my browser. I began looking into my computer’s settings, as well as several YouTube videos to search for fixes. I headed down several rabbit holes, and my frustration only grew. Finally, I decided to step away for a while and take a deep breath. I turned off my computer and sure enough, when I turned it back on, everything was working again! The problems were remedied by a simple fix—a restart.
As Bay Area native and author Anne Lamott says, “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you." Isn’t that the truth? Restarts are vital for our minds, bodies, and souls. Life has grown more complicated and all the changes are overwhelming. As we work our way through this pandemic, a tumultuous election season, protests, ongoing climate disasters and even road rage, it all gets to be too much.
Some days are better than others, but I must admit I’ve felt quite a bit of despair lately. Each week brings with it a new calamity, and we wonder when we’ll ever get a reprieve, let alone some good news.
Today’s scripture lesson is a very important reminder for all of us. Near the end of the first creation story—there are actually two of them—we learn about the Sabbath. God was pleased with God’s creative work in making the universe, so on the seventh day, God rested and made the day hallowed.
For centuries, Jews and Christians have kept a special day every week to honor God. While some continue to make the day a day of rest, much of society has made the Sabbath day just another day of the week; stores are open, few bother with worship any more, and the pressures of our lives keep mounting up. Fortunately, for those of us gathering today for worship, we understand just how important it is for us to re-center our lives on God. We often get beat up along the week, and we come in need of restoration, hope, and inspiration. Even when it’s been a good week, we still realize that this life has a way of skewing our perspective and racing along at breakneck speeds. We need to get off the rollercoaster before we miss all of the goodness and hope happening all around us. And we need to take a break to let our bodies, minds, and souls rest. After all, we are human beings, not human doings.
Taking a day of rest is not only a part of creation since the very beginning, it is one of the 10 commandments.
Yes, God commands us to rest, to unplug, to recreate.
Moreover, scripture teaches us that there were several instances when Jesus sought rest and refuge. Luke 4:16 relates that Jesus went to the synagogue regularly, as was his custom. Just last Sunday, we studied the story of the feeding of the 5,000; Jesus was trying to get away from the crowds, but they continued to follow him. Right after the miracle of the loaves and fish, Jesus went up a mountain to be alone and to pray.
As the disciples of Christ, we can model a different way of being that pushes back against the unhealthy demands of society. We are about the kingdom of God, and so we can show folks that there are alternatives to all of the frenetic pressures. Whereas society pushes us to work 24/7, the church offers the gift of rest and grace. The church invites us to come as we are without any expectation of having to do. In seminary, pastors are taught to protect their days off, and to be sure to take vacation time because, sadly, over 75% of pastors leave the ministry after their first five years.
Indeed, if you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness. Our churches should ensure vacation time for our staff as well as pay living wages. We can create new ways of doing the business of the church, rather than pressuring people to fill leadership positions that only stress them out. When our church culture exudes serenity and renewal, it’s amazing how many people long to be a part of it.
A strong work ethic is admirable. The Protestant Work Ethic helps to make a financially sound nation. But, we can all admit that we often go overboard with our need to be productive. After all, is our existence only about increasing our GDP, or has God placed another purpose upon our lives?
God calls us to love and to tend to our souls and the souls of others. And in this work, God commands us to rest. So let’s do it—without guilt or shame. It’s ok to say “no,” to slow down, and to stop and smell the roses. As this pandemic has taught us, lots of good things come from rest and relaxation—baking skills, new hobbies, reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, even new ways of getting work done—thank you,Zoom!
So may you take time to enjoy all that creation has to offer.
My cousin Tim arrived to our apartment a couple of days ago. He’s on a nationwide road trip. We’ll be heading out together to see the Grand Canyon and southern Utah in early October. I know the pandemic has thrown a huge wrench into all of our plans, but maybe you can still find time to sneak away to the mountains, the forest, or the coast for a weekend. Such trips are never a letdown.
Let’s turn off our devices and the never-ending barrage of media. Let the natural world and stillness and silence fill our souls with wonder. When we take time to relax, we are able to appreciate all that is going on around us. Your “to-do” lists can wait, but take time every day to embrace all that the day has to offer.
In closing, I’d like to close with a blessing from John O’Donohue from a piece entitled, “The Inner History of a Day." He writes:
We seldom notice how each day is a holy place
Where the eucharist of the ordinary happens,
Transforming our broken fragments
Into an eternal continuity that keeps us.
Somewhere in us a dignity presides
That is more gracious than the smallness
That fuels us with fear and force,
A dignity that trusts the form a day takes.
So at the end of this day, we give thanks
For being betrothed to the unknown
And for the secret work
Through which the mind of the day
And wisdom of the soul become one.
Honor the Sabbath, and rest and be well friends. Amen.
