麻豆约拍

Good morning.聽

When working from home has become the norm for many, the notion of a May bank holiday may seem somewhat redundant this year. Of course, shiftworkers, carers, freelancers and service industry workers are not likely to be taking today off, but the reminder to rest is important for everyone.聽

The biblical principle of Sabbath, a regular day entirely free of work, is deeply valuable.聽 Real Sabbath rest is about freedom, not restriction, a conscious intention to lay down any notion that everything depends on us. To stop is to acknowledge that we cannot control everything. To stop is to rest and be recreated.

The theologian Walter Brueggemann writes:聽

鈥淪abbath becomes a decisive, concrete, visible way of opting for and aligning with the God of rest.鈥澛�

We often describe God in terms of activity. He is the Creator, the Saviour, the Judge. Yet, as important and true as these aspects of his character are, he is also the God of rest.聽

鈥楥ome to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,鈥� says Jesus.聽

What he offers is relief from burdens and anxieties that weigh us down, whether we are in paid employment or not.聽

Holidays are important, but so are good habits of regularly taking breaks from technology, shopping and commerce. As we rush back to what we call normality, there鈥檚 value in treasuring what the past year has taught us about connection with nature, time with family and physical wellbeing. These are gifts that bring true rest.聽

God, thank you for the gift of rest. May we find ourselves aligned with you as we lay down our burdens and anxieties today. Amen.