October 27, 2006

This evening around sundown Kelly and I took a short walk. My strength still doesn’t allow for much activity although I continue to feel better each day. The doctor just encouraged patience.

Anyway, I mentioned to Kelly my experience of Sabbath while I was in the hospital. On Friday I was sick, weak and miserable. On Saturday I was sick, weak and miserable. Both days I spent in bed, getting up regularly every 90 minutes or so to experience more misery.
So I was getting plenty of bed ‘rest’. Somehow, when the sun set on Friday, my experience was supposed to be different. I wanted it to be different. My hallucinations were keeping me awake until 2 AM. I was desperate for sleep.

So Sabbath arrived and I lay in bed wondering what was different about this 24 hour period compared to the previous day – compared to the following day. To tell you the truth I felt no different once Sabbath began.

All the same I was so thankful for that Sabbath. Even though I was still in the hospital, I was now in God’s time. I had entered His sanctuary. And early that morning I held tight to His presence. Sure, He was with me the whole time I was sick. But I had a special invitation from the King of the Universe during part of my stay.

Sabbath was about where I placed my heart, mind and strength. It wasn’t about where the sun was. So this evening, I finish this reflection as Sabbath begins. I’m aware of where the sun is. But what makes all the difference is where the Son is.

“So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who enter into God’s rest will find rest from their labors, just as God rested after creating the world.” Hebrews 4:9-10

Be at peace,
Pastor Steve