Long ago, Israelites were instructed to keep the Sabbath. One day a week they were asked to rest and remember God as Creator. God created for six days and rested on the seventh. Although it became a legalized, burdened and restricted day for many, this was never the intention. It was to remember: God was the one who created.
For Christians, Jesus said the Sabbath was given to people. It wasn’t a day to do or not do certain things. Like the Hebrews, it was a gift. Take one day to remember God and creation and to experience rest.
Now, many don't believe in God and may think there is no reason to give this a second thought. Some might believe the earth just came to be for God-knows why.
Yet, whatever belief we profess, what would happen if all of us stopped once a week, rested and noticed? I mean, really noticed. From the frosted alder leaf to the drifting clouds in the sky. From the warming sun to the covering rain. From the mist-hung night air to the dew-risen morning. The moon as it silks the firs, the wind as it waves the water.
Rest, recognition. Sabbath.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Sabbath
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2 comments:
I've been enjoing your last few postings on the environment quite a bit. I recall seeing an interview with David Suzuki a while back... in it he mentioned how Native Americans view(ed) a small grove of trees or a gently flowing river as a unique spiritual place, whilest we have been trained to see a bundle of timber, with leaves of "green", or salmon smorgasboard, with "free" energy. If we'd (as per your previous post) we could see these things as something special, see beyond the economical potential, and into it's spiritual significance, we'd respect it.
I feel, we focus to much on "protecting" the environment... like it's a chore, a nessessary annoyance if you will. Maybe we should instead view ourselves as natures mother... tasked with not just protecting it, but nurturing it, loving it, sacrificing for it. I'm no mother, but I've known mine long enough to know that, when we own something like it is our own child... something that is a part of us and that we are a part of, we can't help but love loveing it. We are not just God's landscapers and gardeners, tasked with keeping his garden... we are his children, and just as we would not let our own homes fall into disrepair, we should not let this larger home he has given to use fall into such a state.
Yes, yes, yes. Tune in soon to upcoming thoughts next few days.
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