Labor Day

The other night at Mesa

our theme was Sabbath observance. "Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy," the fourth commandment says (Exodus 20:8). Later, God explains the why of Sabbath: "It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day [God] rested, and was refreshed" (31:17)

When was the last time you felt refreshed?

When was the last time I felt refreshed? Honestly, it's been a few months! We took our family holiday to Santa Fe, NM at the end of May, and three months later I'm ready to return to the cool mountain air. Yeah right! This weekend:

• The Battle of the Axe (Sherman vs Denison). James is a starting guard on the offensive line and this will be Miles' first Friday Night Lights in the band
• Saturday we're celebrating Linus' birthday, which is Sunday, with a movie party in Denton

But following worship on Sunday, we'll have 40 hours or so to hang out and rest. And then a very heavy September starts: in addition to my regular responsibilities, we are planning our capital campaign, I'm teaching a Wesleyan Heritage course to Local Pastors, beginning a mentoring relationship with an intern at Perkins School of Theology, and traveling to Kansas City for the Leadership Institute at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection for three days at the end of the month. I'm grateful for each of these opportunities, but I'll need to watch my activity level. We all should.

Which is one way of approaching Labor Day weekend. We need to rest. And toss out the myth that work is what defines us as people. Nope. That's our baptism. We are defined by our relationship to Christ. Work may ebb and flow between joy and tiredness, enthusiasm and burnout. But we need to find balance. Check out this prayer:
 

O God of the Sabbath, I work too much. Work is good and necessary and I thank you for it, but I need to play more. I need to rest and relax, to walk and run, see friends and enjoy myself. Remind me, God, to take time off, and help me not to feel guilty when I do.

- Avery Brooke

This is not an invitation to skip church; it's an invitation to fully worship with your church family after resting for one day and anticipating another full day of rest after Sunday. We have some incredible experiences coming in September/October/November/December. You will need your spiritual energy! So fill 'er up this weekend, and I'll see you Sunday.