Between Rest and Growth
My grandmother was a firm believer that a growing child needed an afternoon nap or at least a rest. Because she was in charge at home while both of my parents worked, I rested for an hour or so almost every afternoon until I was past grammar school. I can’t testify it had a positive impact on my physical growth but I did do a lot of reading and that certainly enhanced my intellectual growth.
As an adult and thinking about spiritual growth, I recall few instances where I have gained a deeper understanding of God or of my purpose of being during a period of rest. Most of my insights have come during periods when I was active and some idea or thought just suddenly invaded my activity. When I was younger, I often let those thoughts pass and I’d continue with my activity. As I matured, I learned to think about those ideas at least long enough to recall them after I finished whatever I was doing.
I think the point is we have to be receptive to these sudden thoughts or insights, these Sabbath moments or “nudges” from God. We are constantly receiving all kinds of information – good, bad, true, false- and experiencing the reality that envelopes us. It is the nudges that guide us on the path that is true to God’s Kin-dom where we all are kin, we all are part of creation, and we all treat each equally well.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us be more receptive to your guidance. Give us Sabbath moments which help us find our role in creating a society that treats all people equally and cares for creation as though it was its own child. Amen
Bill Hanna