Gimme A Break

I’m home in Wisconsin again for the summer and I’ve learned something new about myself. I cannot rest. I cannot take true Shabbat style Sabbath and be content in the season within which God has me.

 

Exhibit A:

I came north Friday evening to be home for my sister and brother-in-law’s college graduation, by Tuesday after the family had left I was already up and about doing chores all around the house to keep myself from feeling restless. In two weeks time, I cleaned out all of what was once my childhood bedroom, I cleaned out my parents garage, I cleaned all the windows, cleaned out the fridge, did the laundry, re organized the living room and loaded and unloaded the dishwasher countless times. Unrelatedly I wrote a letter, finished a book, started 3 books, applied at 3 jobs, finished orientation at one job, applied and registered for online summer courses, and made a batch of chocolate cream cheese cupcakes.

I cannot sit still.

 

After a year at CIU challenging my diligence with 19 hour semesters, and volunteering at church and off campus activities, I’ve adapted this mentality that if I’m not being productive I am not doing something right.

 

My friend Calvin once encouraged me with scripture from Ephesians 5:16, to make the best use of my time because the days are evil. The notion of redeeming one’s time to better glorify the Lord rather than serve self is not a bad thing, in fact I highly encourage such actions. Although this is also not the time-occupation in which I am busying myself.

 

I’m beginning to understate that:

-Producing for the mere sake of production is vanity.

-Busyness for the sake of distraction is selfishness.

-And rest is that which God spent the seventh day creating.

 

            Think on that for a minute. Rest is one of God’s CREATIONS, not a lack of activity. On days one through six of the creation story time past; sun, and moon took their respective places throughout the passing days of creation and God saw that it was good. That doesn’t mean he put on his slippers to recuperate before the next nine-to-five work day filling the sky and sea. He created, and He created rest.

 

In my saying this I don't at all intend to spend the next weekend lazily laying around basking in the created miracle of rest. But I am going to open my heart and mind to accept gifts placidity when they are given to me. I will make special effort to understand the motive behind my work and my rest, and I will keep Sabbath as I have been commanded.

 

May God give you all great peace and rest this post - memorial - day - weekend.

-Lael Primrose

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