I know we don’t like to hear it, but “rest” is “blessed.” I realize we all have busy schedules, and we keep trying to fit more into it. There’s more to do, more to accomplish, we all have a bit of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). So, we go, go, go. I remember a little sign that my dad kept on his dresser. It said, “The hurrier I go the behinder I get.” There is great wisdom in that statement.
Where I’m getting the idea that “Rest is Blessed” is from the creation story in Genesis 1 & 2. The actual “hands on” part of the story told in Genesis 1 tells of the six days of creation and the order that God brings to the chaos that was upon the face of the earth. Genesis 2 begins with a wrap up saying that on the 6th day God completed all the work of creation that needed doing. Then a really important statement is made. “On the seventh day God rested from all the work of creation.” We are then told that God blessed the 7th day and made it holy. In other words, God blessed the “rest” and declared that there is even something holy about rest or at least the time of rest.
In other words, God built into the order of creation and the organization of the world the importance and even the necessity of rest. Certainly, God wasn’t tuckered out from working hard for six days. The Bible also tells us that God doesn’t grow weary. Rather, God was establishing a healthy pattern that would be a model for us human beings to follow of how our lives should look too. Yes, there should be work, activity, and relationships…but the part that we tend to overlook is there should also be rest, and more than just a good night’s rest. (Though that too is important.) The rest that God models for us is a rest in which the “busyness” of life is stopped – it ceases, and we simply pause to rest, recharge, and also to recognize God’s presence in the world and in our lives.
I’m writing today about resting because I am going to be taking some time off to simply rest. This past year has been packed so full with many things, both personally and professionally. I simply need to rest and renew for a bit and reconnect with God too. I’ll be here this Sunday for Worship at the Corn Palace, but then Sunday afternoon Nancy and I will leave for the lake in Minnesota to camp, where we’ll stay for a week. I will be taking some time away, two weeks, from the pulpit and most of my pastoral duties, upon our return from camping. There will be several guest preachers to fill in on the Sunday’s I’m away and the church staff will keep things moving forward here at the church office.
I hope that each of you are also finding some time to rest, to let go of the busyness of life and to reconnect with yourself and also with God our creator. Rest is GOOD. Rest is NECESSARY. Rest is LIFE GIVING. And I believe what Genesis is telling us is that Rest is BLESSED!! May you be blessed in this summer season.