Rest

Memorial Day weekend was great for me. I had Saturday off from any games / leagues and was able to enjoy the company of my wife and family for Brendan's 12th birthday. Sunday was spent at Nationals Park with some great Rec Volunteers. Monday was more time with Kelly, home projects, and Orioles baseball. And finally, Tuesday was date time with Kelly during lunch at the water park at Kings Dominion. It ended up being a four day weekend for me that allowed for rest and recovery.

Recently Kelly and I have been reading Tim Keller's book Kings Cross. It is a great compliment to studying the book Mark. Keller does a great job of picking out certain passages and providing scriptural insight that leads to deeper meditation and contemplation throughout the day. The most recent chapter was reference to Mark 2: 23-28. Keller speaks on the topic of rest and the Sabbath. Jesus uses the term "I AM" throughout the scripture and demonstrates that it is through him that we truly find rest. Jesus gives us two thoughts:

1. Jesus calls for me and you to take time off - physical and mental time away - on a regular basis. Stepping out and away from daily activity will provide for fun and vitality in your life.

2. Rest is also a time that you and I can be satisfied with our work, so satisfied, that we can leave it alone. Looking back at Genesis and the creation story we see this example lived out. It was after He created that He stepped away and was satisfied. Unfortunately with the technology world, we seem to always be connected mentally to our work through email, phones, twitter etc.

Learning the discipline of rest and the use of the Sabbath - restoring the diminished, replenishing the drained, and repairing the broken- is something we all need to learn to enjoy. And underlying both of these points is the fact that it "is" Jesus who provides the rest for our bodies and mind, as well as the satisfaction of our work. Through Him, we no longer need to look toward the work of self-justification. The cross is the point at which true rest and satisfaction can begin in our lives.