This weekend on Sunday, Christians will gather all over the world to celebrate the greatest event in human history. The resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This simply means that we do not worship a dead God. He’s alive. We have a living hope.
Among other things, this means that God is actively involved in our lives. When we pray, he hears us. When we sing, he hears us. He’s doing things right now, in your life and in mine.
I preached on keeping the Sabbath this weekend and studying the topic was a loud reminder to me of the importance of getting off the crazy carnival ride we’re on most of the time to take a breath. The importance of weekly rest goes all the way back to creation and the nature and character of God. God stopped to take in and enjoy all that He had done during the first 6 days of creation. His greatness didn’t diminish when He rested. His glory doesn’t come only from doing but also from His being.
I think most Americans are taught the opposite. A strong work ethic is equated with never having to rest. Taking time for solitude, reflection, and rest makes us feel a little guilty, even apologetic. That’s insane! God made us with finite amounts of emotional and physical energy. Rest is a necessary part of life and serves to remind us of our weakness and dependence on God to supply our needs.
