SABBATH

by Steve Dunn

"Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed." - Exodus 23:12

This Monday I awoke at the usual time around 4:30 am.  But this was an unusual Monday.  For the first time in nearly eleven years, the term "pastor" referred to my profession but not my position. The day before had been my final day as the Lead Pastor for a magnificent group of people living on mission with Jesus, the Church of God of Landisville.  I now have entered a period of transition because I do not know where God wants me to be next in ministry.  Because I have to eat and pay my bills, I have resumes in; but churches tend to move slowly in their decision-making, especially in the summer; and seminaries hired their faculties much earlier in the summer.

So this week I have attended to getting ready to sell a home. (In my denomination it is considered both inappropriate and unethical to take on a pastorate within easy driving distance from your previous one.) I am also cleaning out 11 years worth of files both in cabinets and on the computer before turning them over to my successor to spare him the irrelevant and to declutter my own home and life.  This means I have had "work" to do each day - including housework, shopping, etc. (my wife, on the other hand, still continues working this summer.)  I have, however, started each day with coffee and breakfast, USA today, my email correspondence, and my devotions at Panera's (pretty much how I tended to start my days when I was employed as a pastor).  I've added walking around 5:30 to beat the heat and to shed some pounds.

 

This morning as I drove to Panera's I had an epiphany.  I was thinking about my agenda for the day and then found myself moving ahead in my mind to Friday and Saturday.  And then it struck me.  I was planning to work every day.  I no longer had formal pastoral work to do (including wrapping up a sermon or counseling or shuffling papers) but I was still working on life and all of its responsibilities.  Work is not simply defined by a job, but by the efforts that go into providing a living for your family, maintaining what you possess, carrying out your family business, the errands and shopping that goes with restocking your cupboards, etc.

The command to rest is "for all your work."  That means no work. Instead, a time of rest, refreshing, and renewing your relationship with the Lord--Who sustains you all seven days of your week and Who ultimately provides for your needs.

Since Friday has been my sabbath for 11 years, I am keeping Friday as my sabbath--even if I am not yet again gainfully employed.

(C) 2012 by Stephen L. Dunn 

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FIREWORKS

 

He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. - Matthew 12:39

Americans are fascinated by fireworks. From the kind you buy at road side stands and ignite in your drive way, to the six figure extravaganzas that light up the night skies over celebrations, baseball games, and outdoor concerts.  They will endure mosquito-infested riversides, bumper-to-bumper traffic, political speeches, a high-priced concerts in order to share in the experience.  They will talk about it for weeks ahead and days afterwards.  And no matter what the venue or what precedes it, fireworks always seem to be a good show, worth the "price" of admission.

Unless, of course, you are in San Diego, California on July 4, 2012 when the fireworks show, albeit as spectacular as any, is over in fifteen seconds. I suspect that a whole lot of people had their day "ruined" by the computer glitch that ignited the entire show at once.

But fireworks are like that even if they last longer.  Even at best they are over in 25-30 minutes.  They may attract your "ahs" and "ohs," but when it's over what you are left with is a night sky, smoking drifting away, a strain in your neck - and only a  memory.  It may be a powerful memory, but somehow the night sky is not quite the same if your has been filled with these spectacular pyrotechnics.

People seem to always want fireworks before they believe.  And often those fireworks more resemble the fizzled ones in San Diego--over in a hurry and soon forgotten.  Jesus said our desire for spiritual fireworks was more a symbol of our sinfulness than our righteousness. A desire for entertainment rather than life transformation.

Ultimately he gave a most spectacular sign--the sign of Jonah--the Resurrection from the Dead.    Curiously, even that sign does not seem to move many of us faith or keep us in the faith during difficult and dry times.

The sign we should really be seeking is the love of God at work unconditionally and unrestrained in our lives.  When we see God at work within us--that's the sign we should we seeking and trusting and sharing.

(C) 2012 by STEPHEN L. DUNN