When I first found out that the church I currently attend, namely Shofar Century City, was closed during the Christmas period, I was both shocked and confused. Why would a church not have a service for one of its most important celebratory events?
Although I am still disappointed by this, I now understand why from a recent sermon I heard - the church places such an importance on going away on holiday, that the majority of the congregation would not be present to attend!
I learnt that the word holiday comes from holy-day - a time set apart, doing things out of the normal, something special and sacred.
For most of us, we reward ourselves with rest after a hard days work. Our definition of rest is hugely flawed in thinking that vegetating on the couch, mindlessly watching TV or doing nothing, will bring us the rest we are after.
However, biblical rest is the complete opposite! We are commanded to honour the Sabbath by spending time with God. This is God's spiritual nourishment that fuels us into feeling recharged and energised to do another weeks work. Did you get that? Rest is suppose to come before hard work, and not the other way round!
God warns us to take rest seriously - so much so, that in 2 Chronicles 36:20-21 God punished them for not observing the Sabbath. So if a weekly rest is so important, how much more is an annual one, where we can reflect on the past year and prepare ourselves for a new one!
We all have our favourite idea of the perfect holiday - whether it be camping, lying on the beach or going on a safari - there is a common denominator that is found in God's creation. When we connect with God through nature, we will find rest for our weary souls and be refreshed.
Although I do not enjoy camping myself, some might say from the Feast of the Tabernacles, where God commanded his people to build a shelter (tent) and spend 7 days in it, that God certainly does!
Rest is not a destination, but a starting point. We are able to work hard when we have spent time resting in God's presence, and thus recharging our batteries when we spiritually connect to the source of our power.
Rest is both a principle to obey and a blessing to enjoy!
So this festive season, I challenge you to set aside as many days as you are able to, to stop working and REST - (Restore - Energise - Strengthen - Transform)
And as you do so, may you be ready to start working hard again, to achieve all your goals set for 2020!
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