New Life, New Hope, New Mission!    

November 15, 2006

You may have noticed that Pastoral Pages have not been posted for the last two weeks.  Simply put, I didn't write any!  But why? 

I found myself in violation of the "rule of seven," as I call it.  God seems to have arranged the social balance in sevens.  It is the seventh day that was set aside from labor for rest.  It is the seventh year that is set aside for the sabbatical.  Experience tells us that in an eight hour day, we need to have an hour break planned.  Efficiency managers have long known that carelessness increases on the job when this guideline is overlooked. 

As I looked over my schedule a few weeks ago, I realized I had a span of time with no commitments (an oddity) and then I realized that since July I had something planned, some responsibility, some demand every day.  Even though I was dragging through the day, I never stopped to think that maybe it would be wise to take a breather. 

So, with a week of no commitments, I just laid low and breathed.  I realized how important this can be for us.  We all are in a society with high demands, expectations and pressures.  Some of them are valid, but many are self-imposed.  Not to suggest that we err on the side of sloth (one of the seven grievous sins), but that it behooves us live in respect of the way God made us: the rule of seven.

Take a little time this week to breath, rest, tell your spouse you love her/him, take the kids for a hike, or just sit in the park and listen to the birds.  It might do you a world of good.  And come Sunday, hit the church and let yourself float off in an hour of worship and prayer.  I'm working hard on that day so you don't have to. Take advantage of this.  It's for you. 

By the way, the Old Testament notes that the seventh seven-year cycle is the "year of jubilee" when all debts are to be forgiven.  I asked my banker (a devote Jewish man)  if such a concept was still part mortgage planning.  You should have heard him laugh.

Take care, get some rest, love the Lord...

Pastor John

Updated: 09/29/08