Minister's article for the Sentinel: Yours faithfully
The summer holiday season is here. A daily commute to work will possibly now be quicker because the schools have broken up but travelling at weekends may be busier because of people hitting the roads to go away on holiday. You may be preparing to make that journey away or looking forward to time at home and days out. This is the opportunity to escape the busyness of life and take a break – something that working people are entitled to and all people need.
My hubby and I have already taken our holiday. We decided at the beginning of the year to join the group of people who may slow your journey down because we now own a touring caravan. Our family see this as a sign of our age! In June we parked the Caravan on the drive and loaded it up with the home comforts we needed for a week away. I love my job but I admit that I felt a lightness of spirit as I placed down my working tools and left behind the responsibilities that ministry brings. We had a lovely time away exploring the area around Oswestry which of course took us over the Welsh border.
Everyone needs to down tools at some time and have a break. Imagine holding a tin of baked beans with your outstretched arm: to begin with it will seem quite light but the longer you hold it the heavier it will seem. I’m guessing that if you held it all day then your arm would feel very weak and if you held it all week you would probably end up on your knees (don’t try this at home). This simple analogy shows how we can keep on carrying that work load or a concern that’s weighing us down, until eventually we collapse under the weight. We need to place it down for a time and stop to rest.
God recognises the need to down tools and take a break. One of the Ten Commandments is, ‘Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work…For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth… but he rested on the seventh day.’ (Exodus 2:8-11 NIV Bible) So do not feel guilty for taking a break because even the Creator sees that you need it. But we are also encouraged to stop and rest with God. In the bible Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV Bible)
Therefore as you find time to take a break, find time to be still with God. The Lord is a good listener and will nourish our souls and bodies so helping to recharge our batteries for whatever may be ahead.
By the way, the word ‘Holiday’ comes from ‘Holy Day’ when people would stop work to celebrate a religious festival – something that still happens today.
May God bless you this summer holiday season with opportunity to rest.
Yours faithfully
Rev Linda
Reverend Linda J Catlow, Superintendent Minister of the Stoke South Methodist Circuit and Deputy Chair of the Chester and Stoke Methodist District
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