Monday August 10, 2009

Monday August 10, 2009

by Beau Heyen
Curate / Associate Pastor for Congregational Life

Lazy Day

And on the seventh day God finished the work that had been done, and God rested on the seventh day from all the work that had been done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that had been done in creation. Genesis 2: 2-3

In our busy lives, where work seems to never stop and whatever “free” time we  think we have is taken by family, friends and other obligations, the concept of Sabbath has been lost.   The term "Sabbath" derives from the Hebrew shabbat, "to cease", which many regard as a sign in respect for the day during which God rested after having completed the Creation in six days.

The history of the Sabbath has been varied, but I believe it still holds true as an important covenant with God.  Maybe your Sabbath is not the same from week to week or maybe it isn’t even a full day, but the time of rest is important to living healthy lives.

With the hot, muggy weather, a day of rest could not come at a better time. Whether a student, in a job with a new fiscal year or just dealing with the impending holiday seasons, the pressures of the fall are creeping in.

We are in luck, for today is Lazy Day.

I know, I am the last person who should talk about rest, but as always, I speak to myself each time I write a devotional.  So today, as we celebrate Lazy Day, I challenge each of us, including myself, to remember the covenant of rest.

Creator God, thank you for all the gifts in our lives, especially the ability to rest.  Help us as we take a moment to be “lazy” and celebrate Your creation. AMEN.