Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Heaven and Earth were finished, down to the last detail. By the seventh day God had finished his work. On the seventh day God rested from all his work. God blessed the seventh day. God made it a Holy Day.  Because on that day, He rested from his work, all the creating God had done. Genesis 2:1-3

Summer is here and most everyone I know welcomes its arrival.  It's one of the rewards for us as hardy midwesterners having survived another long winter.  There is often an extra bounce in our step with the longer days and warmer temperatures.  And if the bounce isn't in our own step all we need to do is look to the children who are counting the days until summer vacation!
Our God, who never sleeps or slumbers [Psalm 121:3,4]
rested on the seventh day from his work of creation.  God also told us to take a break and rest from our labors.  Our God is not a slave master.  Israel's calendar not only had a weekly rest (Sabbath) but approximately five weeks of rest yearly (for worship festivals) and a year long rest every seven years (Sabbath year) and an extra year long rest every fifty years (the year of Jubilee).  I'm guessing I'm not the only one who would like this kind of rest!

Rest comes in a variety of ways for each of us.  It can be experienced in a simple change of pace or in quiet moments during the day.  I've always liked Richard Foster's insight:  "Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is take a nap."  One thing is certain-we need to rest; rest is necessary for our body and soul.

In Mark 6 Jesus said, "‘Let's get away from the crowds for a while and rest.' There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn't even have time to eat."  Jesus had just learned that his cousin, John the Baptist, had been killed. Even the Son of God experienced the limitations of the human body when faced with grief, hunger, and too many demands. By his example he taught the disciples to minister effectively over the long haul by taking care of their physical and spiritual needs. Jesus models for us the importance of creating time and space for rest and quiet. Just as stress and fatigue put a damper on our relationships with others they also create a real barrier to our relationship with God.

As you read this you may wonder if the Bethlehem community ever rests.  There is a lot going on, but I encourage you to look at the information with new eyes.  Look for experiences that will offer you a change of pace:  Sailing?  Vacation Bible School?  Family Camp?  Sunday Evening Worship?  Such experiences might offer you exactly what your body and soul need.  Another way to view the news is to look for ministries going on inside our building as well as in the greater community and the world and include them in a daily time of prayer.  Your conversations with God will bring spiritual intimacy and a stronger connection to this community.

Blessings to you as you continue to grow in God's love and grace.  
Pastor Mary