Thanks, Spirit, I needed that

For Tuesday, October 11

Thanks, Spirit, I Needed That

Jeremiah 16:16-18:23; 1 Thessalonians 4-5:3; Psalm 81:1-16; Proverbs 25:6-8 (click to read)

(Jeremiah 17) 19-20 The LORD said: Jeremiah, stand at each city gate in Jerusalem, including the one the king uses, and speak to him and everyone else. Tell them I have said: I am the LORD, so pay attention. 21-24 If you value your lives, don't do any work on the Sabbath. Don't carry anything through the city gates or through the door of your house, or anywhere else. Keep the Sabbath day sacred!

I must ask myself after this passage: How seriously do I take "sabbath?" Sabbath means two things to me: 1) serious focus and attention to God in worship, reflection and devotion; and 2) recovery from life's stresses and pace. Jeremiah was sent to the 'city gates' - were all the commercial activity of the city began. In fact, the city gates were the arrival and departure of everything that happened. The underlying question to me is: can I break free of my life pace and adrenaline-driven, activity-filled schedule to be with the Spirit of the Lord and to rest and recover. This is a timely passage for me, because I have been trying to get a new life schedule that addresses work, exercise, rest and spiritual issues. I have been failing at it so far - this passage tells me it is important and to get it figured out! Thanks, Spirit, I needed that.

Lord - I confess my failure in following Your Sabbath instructions to me. I feel my weakness in changing the 'what' and 'when' of my life's schedule and pattern. Renew my determination and whisper Your Wisdom for making this change.

(You can download the Pathway 2011 Bible reading list here.)