Vacation time for me. Sabbath.
I am rethinking the meaning of Sabbath in my life. Sabbath is not the utilitarian use of time off, so that you can work harder and be fresher when you return to work. It is not a break from work on which you "recharge your batteries." Sabbath is not like resting a horse to be able to use the horse again.
We are neither horses, nor machines, nor cogs in the machinery of production. Although, I admit we may feel this way often, in the world of work or school.
Sabbath is the reminder to us that we are not in charge. Those who can't take vacations are practicing "functional atheism." They believe that they are so important that they cannot be absent from work because nothing will get done, and their work place will fall apart.
God has other things to teach us on Sabbath. It is that God is in charge of all creation. That we are dependent upon God for all that we have, all that we are, all that we will be. Sabbath is the gift given to us, in a face-to-face encounter with our dependence on God's great mercy and abundance. Without Sabbath, we could learn this, but it would be difficult. The slowing and stillness of mind and body that accompanies true Sabbath make us clearly aware of our dependence.
Sabbath is about thanksgiving, praise, faith, and allowing God to be God.
Bring it on!!
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Preach it, sister! As you know, being a Super J, I constantly struggle with the issue of Sabbath and how to incorporate it into my life. Lately I have become painfully aware that Sabbath is sorely lacking from my life and ministry, evidenced by the fact that today is the first full day off I have taken in nearly six weeks. (I have some things I need to read for work, but have decided that being my day off and a holiday, I will resist the temptation). Instead, I think I will treat myself to a leisurely walk through West Hollywood.
ReplyDeleteOn this seeminly difficult subject for many clergy, I highly recommend the book Sabbath by Wayne Muller, in which he looks at the various facets of Sabbath.