Rest, Relax,and Rejuvenate

Posted by on Jun 25, 2016 in Pastors Ponderings | 0 comments

Pastor Jim submitted the following thoughts for our July/August edition  of Steeple Notes (our church newsletter)…

Greetings Friends:

Here’s an ancient a Greek legend that’s worth considering…

In ancient Athens a man noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing  childish games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at Aesop, asking him why he wasted his time in such frivolous Bow-arrow-297108_960_720 _400x590activity. Aesop responded by picking up a bow, loosening its string, and  placing it on the ground.

Then he said to the critical Athenian, “Now, answer the riddle, if you can. Tell us what the unstrung bows implies.

The man looked at it for several moments but had no idea what point Aesop was trying to make.

Aesop explained, “If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it.” 

I suspect that many people are also like that man from ancient Athens. And yet, perhaps this old story can serve as a reminder to all of us about the importance of rest. We all need to take time to rest.

In Mark 6:30 –32, Jesus instructs His disciples to doing something different, back away from the
norm, and enter into a period of rest:

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.  Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” 

So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.   NIV

In the Old Testament, God set a pattern for us as we read in Genesis 2:3,

“Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done” (NIV).

 

Shouldn’t we take these examples seriously?LaPalmilla15 07-26 Chris Sleep2 _Chris _600w

We are entering the summer season, a season that affords opportunities for Rest, Relax & Rejuvenate rest and relaxation. Let’s make it a priority to look for these moments that we can relax physically and renew ourselves emotionally and spiritually.

These moments are gifts from God. Let’s embrace the gift and “loosen the bow” this summer!

Shalom,

Pastor Jim

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