Rest and Renewal
Always around this point in the year I think to myself, “It’s August?!? Already?!?” Indeed, this Sunday is the first Sunday in August. Before we know it, school will be back in session, youth sports will kick into full swing, and the busyness of the regular year will be upon us. As we enjoy the last few weeks of the summer months, I’m reminded of a slogan we sent Rev. Rachel off with when she began her sabbatical: rest and renewal. I’m also reminded that there were times throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry when he was intentional about stepping away and finding time for rest. I think, for example, of how Jesus withdrew from the crowd at the beginning of the story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. He chose to take a moment of solitude before he miraculously provided the crowd with the most basic of human needs. Finding time for rest and renewal allows us to maintain ourselves as useful instruments of God.
It’s essential that we find times when we can pause, step away from our responsibilities, and put ourselves before God. As we go through these last few weeks of summer, before the busyness of the program year kicks into high gear, my hope is that you can find time for some rest and renewal -- whatever that may be for you. Time to step away from your normal responsibilities to remember that you are God’s beloved. As Jesus says in the Gospel of Matthew, “Come to me you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Peace,
Stephen
