Rest

Hebrews 4:9

There remains, then a Sabbath-rest for the people of God.

I have been thinking about our sermon yesterday on "rest."  First of all, does anyone know what music was played while we "quieted ourselves" during the sermon?  That was beautiful and serene, and I would like to have that on a cd. I realize this "Sabbath-rest" is much more in its definition than what I am going to consider in this brief entry.  Nevertheless, lots of us just think of "rest" as this: I'm tired-I need rest!

 How many loving ways God has blessed us with things to give "rest" if only we'll just look.  I consider birds and flowers two ways.  I know it helps that I have more time than some of you to take a look at birds and flowers (and I can just hear some of you muttering to yourself, "Yeah, right, like I have time to look at them?"), but please do just glance at them.  Maybe hang a feeder.  Those birds are endlessly entertaining. 

"Consider the birds of the air" we are reminded. O.K.  That's even biblical. Why are there so many references to birds in the Bible?  I thank God for the variety.  Who would have thought up goldfinches and rose-breasted grosbeaks and nuthatches (who go upside down on trees)?  Who would have thought up soaring eagles and pelicans and hawks?  Who would have thought up squabbling bluejays and whistling cardinals? What about those bright colors?

I used a book for eighth graders where in a futuristic society they had tried to become so safe and so much the "same" that they lost their abilities to see in color or to hear music.  I would pose the question to my students?  Which of these could you give up, if you had to lose one of them for the rest of your life on earth?  It's an agonizing question and produced a few passionate answers as many of them realized that they would never ever want to give up their music (they listened to it all the time).  However, losing the beauty of color would rob sooo much joy in life also. We were all glad we didn't have to give up either. Then I am reminded that we always have those who are blind and deaf.  Jesus gave them back sight and hearing.  Oh...what a gift!  

One ironic note: During the last of the sermon on "rest," my husband and I scurried out of the church to beat it over to the all-community church service going on in the Pella town center (as our grandson was singing in a choir there).  We breathlessly fell into our seats there in the bleachers in time to hear the choir and a very good sermon on "Patience."  (We aren't very good at resting and we aren't very patient people either...but God invites us to both.)

Lana