Minister’s letter August/September 2018
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me besides still waters; he restores my soul. Ps 23 v.1 and 2
Dear friends,
Remember the school summer holidays of childhood? They seemed to stretch out before us like a long, golden, carefree time. If I recall rightly, they used to last seven weeks. Seven weeks! Bliss (although maybe not for our parents!!) Well, this year’s summer break is now upon us. Whether you go away during August or not, it’s traditionally a period when things are quieter at church and many of the regular activities come to a temporary end. Though they can be missed by those who attend, for those who organise and lead them this time provides a much-needed break and a chance to be renewed and refreshed.
We all seem to lead such busy lives and that includes those among us who are retired. Yet God never intended for us to be constantly on the go. He created the Sabbath as a day of rest. That doesn’t necessarily mean putting our feet up and doing nothing but changing pace, doing different things, finding some ‘me’ time are important. Above all, finding some God time. Sabbath challenges our priorities because we are commanded to keep it holy – ‘set apart’ – for God. As Christians, God should be first and foremost in our lives but, if we’re honest, sometimes he gets our second-best.
The concept of Sabbath goes deeper than simply resting one day in seven. It’s God’s invitation to us to be restored, refreshed and renewed in him. Which is why the summer break is a God-given opportunity, literally.
During Advent we prepare for Christmas. During Lent we prepare spiritually for Easter. During the summer we are also in a time of preparation, readying ourselves for the start of the new church year and the season of thankfulness marked by our Harvest celebrations when we give praise to God for ALL his gifts.
This issue of the newsletter covers September. By the time I write again, we will be in the throes of ‘the meeting season’ and life will have resumed its pace and busyness.
So, before then, let us make this holiday season into a time when we accord God a bit more space in our lives. He wants to give us those green pastures, those still waters. He longs to restore our souls. Let’s not turn our backs on that but instead say “Thank you Lord, please come and satisfy my hunger, quench my thirst and let my soul find its rest and restoration in you”. Amen.
Happy holy-days everyone!
Sharon