Mark 6:31 NIV
31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
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I’m going to be honest…the past few weeks have sucked.
I don’t know about any of you, but the Thanksgiving through Christmas season is not a period of rest, relaxation and family bonding that Hallmark says it’s supposed to be.
I think part of that is due to the profession that I have. Being a pastor, the times that most people take to rest and regroup are often our most busy seasons. On top of that we are also supposed to participate in the events that the rest of the family holds.
Last week, my wife and I hosted Thanksgiving which meant people were at out house a lot and then we jumped right into advent.
My church had a Hanging of the Greens service and then potluck dinner Sunday night.
Monday night was craft night for Mosaic (the college ministry) where we prepped the nativity craft that we did at the Angelo State Tree Lighting.
Tuesday I spent all day meticulously cutting out the manger scene for the Tree lighting. Then we had the Tree Lighting event that night which was a huge success and everyone loved out craft which made it worth it…but also might made a cricket worth it for next year. Then I came home to find out my declining Grandfather was in the hospital because he was severely dehydrated and under-nourished.
Then Wednesday night Mosaic has Gather&Grow which is our worship night.
Thursday and Friday night are kind of free but also not really because toddler and Advent calendar activities and those Christmas lights aren’t going to hang themselves.
Saturday my church has Breakfast with the Grinch at which I will be the Grinch so I am going to be super social battery empty, but after Grinch I have a toddler birthday party to go to.
Then Sunday I have church, another birthday party, caroling to homebound members and then the Mosaic Christmas Party.
All while trying to make plans for next semester for both my youth group and Mosaic.
None of this is to say that I have more to do than the next person and it is definitely not complaining because, in the end, every one of these things will leave me feeling fulfilled.
What I’m saying is…I’m getting so busy that I am catching myself not make time for Sabbath rest.
So I forced myself on Tuesday afternoon.
As I was cutting out the Nativity scenes, I reached a point where I was like, “I can either sit here and keep cutting these out and probably get 10-15 more done by the time I have to leave…or I can put everything down and go for a walk.”
So that’s what I did. I went for a walk. Even though it meant we had to close our table down 15 people early…I needed rest. No music and no one on the phone. Just a walk with myself.
I talked to God…listened for God…and explored my mind and spirit.
And that is my point…especially as finals are around the corner…or year end goals are coming up…you must remember to make time for God. Both in the busy season and the slower seasons.
But what is rest?
What is sabbath?
I feel like it turned into “self-care Sunday” where we sit around and do nothing. We do things like order take out and watch movies all day, but the Bible teaches us that Sabbath is all about reconnecting with God.
God knew that the world was going to be full of distractions so God made the Sabbath day and commanded us to keep it Holy so that we can stay connected with God on a regular basis.
This is how we care for our souls.
Make time for the self care like movies and take out…
But also make time for God. If you can make it a whole day…perfect!
But God will take whatever you can give.
How can you make time in this season of busyness and stress to breathe in the Spirit of God?
I found it on my walk.
I found it when watching my daughter watch her train go around the Christmas Tree.
I found it in the space in between.
The space I often neglect and ignore.
But it was calling me…and it is calling you.
God is there…waiting for you.
