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Religous: A time for rest, a time for God
Minister Sharon McRann
for South Peace News
I find that people are very strong on the idea that if you keep the Ten Commandments, then you are a Christian and all will be well.
So, I can’t help but wonder whatever became of the commandment that says, “Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy. You have six days in which to do your work, but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to Me. On that day no one is to work.”
Now don’t stop reading! I’m not going to lecture and condemn those who find they have to work on Sundays.
But I think this notion of Sabbath is worth pursuing.
How many of you seem to feel tired all the time? How many feel they never get a break? Perhaps what you need is to take some Sabbath time.
Most of the churches of today are finding the number of people entering their doors is rapidly dropping. Why? Well that is a question we are trying to answer.
Perhaps now in the 21st Century we are being called to change. Perhaps church as it was or has always been is not meeting people’s needs. If you have an answer to these questions, I would be glad to hear what it is.
However, Sabbath is more than going to church on Sunday mornings. If a person works on Sundays, then it is important to find some Sabbath time on a different day of the week. This day needs to include a break from work … a chance to sleep or rest … a time to clear our minds of stress and worry to the best of our ability. This day of Sabbath should also be a time to make room for God. How do we do that?
Well, if possible, you might come to church. When you think about it, one hour out of a whole week is very little to offer to God. That is only one hour out of 168 hours. Church offers us a quiet space, a sanctuary in which to think about and be with God. We may not have found the perfect way to offer you what you need there, but with your help and suggestions we just might be able to meet your spiritual needs in some way.
Other ways of offering time to God are through: meditation, and prayer; through reading and thinking about the Bible and what it means for our lives today.
Meditation can happen from your favourite chair in a quiet room with no interruptions. It can be a guided meditation with the help of a CD or a book and it does not have to be long.
Prayer can be the words that flow easily from your heart, but prayer is not only words. Prayer can also be awareness - awareness of all the good that God provides - awareness of life and of God’s presence in all aspects of life.
Sometimes we use tools for prayer such as the labyrinth, which is a maze that one can walk and use for meditation. Some people pray for a loved one at each corner or they think about God and about the beauty of creation along the way. Walking the labyrinth is a way to take a “time out” and leave schedules and stress behind.
Another meditative tool is the mandala. A mandala is a drawing that begins with a circle and can tell anything you want about yourself and your relationship with God. Usually one begins with a short meditation and asking for a mental picture. We believe this picture comes from God. Often, there is soft music playing and we ask God to bless our paper and our crayons.
The quiet atmosphere, the chance to create and our awareness of God create the perfect atmosphere for prayer.
Sabbath is a time for rest, a time to be with family and most important, a time for God. Often we hear people say, “Well, I don’t need to go to church to be with God, or to feel God’s presence.”
And that can be true; however. sometimes we don’t remember to look for God or to think about God, and the opportunities pass us by, unless we set aside that specific time and place to do so.
The church is also, ideally, a place where we can come and be with others who want to have a relationship with God.
As a minister, I would be delighted if every person would be willing to come to church every Sunday morning. However, as a realist, I know that isn’t likely to happen.
Even so, Sabbath is important to every life. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Find one day out of the seven for Sabbath rest, worship and time with family.
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