This is Part 8 of our ongoing series, “If you, then y’all.”
“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the Lord’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
then you will find your joy in the Lord,
and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Isaiah 58:13-14
Sabbath Reflection
Every parent knows how difficult it can be to get your kids to hear you.
Mine are constant balls of energy that can get lost in a singular focus. Whether running around or playing a game, getting them to stop and listen can seem near impossible; occasionally they give the appearance of stopping and listening, but in reality they are rearing to go.
Sometimes the stakes are low, like asking them to do a simple task. However, in the times that it matters, it can be frustrating when a parent has been repeatedly, explicitly clear, and as the child fails to do what’s asked, they exclaim, “You never said that!”
This can happen corporately. On too many occasions I’ve stopped my three children together and bluntly explained what needed to happen. “In order to make it to this fun thing in time, you need to start cleaning now.” Though they wanted the fun thing, and the tasks were easy, their unwillingness to stop and really listen has often had ramifications.
As spiritual children, we too bend toward an unwillingness to stop and really listen to what God is saying. He can be blunt and clear with His invitations, and we miss it because we are antsy to get back to life. You see this throughout scripture, not just with individuals but bodies of people, and despite all the words God has given us, the trend continues today.
In Psalm 46, the Sons of Korah exclaim many things about who God is and what He’s done, and then verse 10 interrupts with a word from God: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
It is almost like God is saying, “You think you see and know me… stop for a moment. Really look at me; really try to understand me.” Our propensity for action can keep us from accepting God and His goodness, settling for whatever versions live in our minds.
My kids’ lives would be so much more joyful, fulfilling, and safe if they would stop and truly internalize what their father says; I know they are developing children that will struggle to do so for years to come. I lament how their distraction stifles what could easily be theirs, but do not love or pursue them any less.
Our lives would be so much more joyful, fulfilling, and safe if we would stop and truly internalize what our Father says; He knows we are developing spiritual children that will struggle to do so for years to come. He laments how our distraction stifles what could easily be ours, but does not love or pursue us any less.
Knowing we are slow to perceive and slower to act, He speaks and invites us – individually and as a body – to be still. This invitation in Hebrews is preceded by a quote from Psalm 95:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”
Today – on your own and in unity with others – be still and listen.
One Response
Thanks for this one Paul. I feel busy and can view it as a good thing. However, I also think that I’m missing out on what God would want to share with me as the busyness takes me away from being still and knowing God.