Rumi's poem expresses God's love which God willingly lavishes upon each of us every moment. Life provides experiences when that love breaks through to our awareness...but so often we are most aware (even fixated upon) moments when that love seems obscured by pain of all sorts (anger, fear, anxiety, envy...etc)
As we come to the end of a week and begin to enter Sabbath Time, I pray that we can be honest and yes, even vulnerable, with regard to our desire for God's love. I think back to Frank's comment about Sabbath: "In Deuteronomy the Jewish people are told to observe the Sabbath. This was emphasized because they had just been released as slaves. Being in bondage they could not have observed a day of rest but now that they were on their own they had the freedom to do it."
His comments lead me to wonder about how the events of this past week have enslaved me. What events or relationships have most effectively restricted my response to God's love? In other words, how have I been in bondage?
I am convinced that there is no aspect of life's experience that can't be met and in some way healed if we practice Sabbath. For example, years ago my family was faced with some fairly dire financial situations. I recall that for almost a year I cowered in fear and shame during the days that financial institutions and the postal service were in operation. It seemed that every notification from the world was threatening or imposing. I recall, also, how my household yearned each week for the day of rest, Sunday, the Sabbath. I made a commitment to use that day to remember the eternal blessings of love and peace.
In another "phase" of life, I was faced with regular and exhausting medical procedures -- it seemed that each day involved some draining conversation or process.... and Sabbath was an opportunity to let my mortal flesh and mind be silent and do nothing other than dwell in the spiritual connection with God.
In both cases, come Monday, my mind, body and soul were equipped in amazing ways to re-enter the challenges. As I look back, I realize that I have forgotten many of the details of the torments of those days.... but I remember with poignant clarity the totality of rest and renewal that God provided through the "gift" of Sabbath.
Sabbath is an invitation to be intentional about the freedom we have been promised through Christ to walk, relate, and simply "be" enfolded in God's love. This love meets (in the deepest way) every need or want we have by purifying our hearts and minds with God's peace.
I encourage you to NOTICE and ACCEPT the invitation of Sabbath. It is a practice that allows the children of God to be healed and revitalized. It is a practice that allows each of us to be further molded by God's love and therefore be "different" as we reenter the week.
Blessed Sabbath to you!
Pamela
No comments:
Post a Comment