In this worship series, we have encountered the work of Rev. Tish Harrison Warren which has challenged us to see God’s presence in our lives, even within our “ordinary” moments. This week we reflect upon the topic of rest in light of God’s designed plan for us. Drawing from James 1:17-24, we understand that everything good, every gift in life comes from God, and that God has a design for us in the created order to be God’s “first fruits,” God’s very best.

 Our challenge is to consider how we best take care of all that God entrusts us with, including our own well-being. In speaking particularly about Sabbath time, John Wesley shared this: “We see here the chief reason of this command, the great end for which it was given, even that man might learn to imitate God, to fulfil the purpose of his creation; that he might ever remember who it was that created himself, and heaven and earth; that like him, having finished his six days, he might on the seventh retire from this world, and ascend in heart and mind into the heaven of heavens...”

 Where does your heart and mind ascend to the heavens or put more simply, where do you know the fullness of joy and peace? What causes unrest in your life? How might you offer up the hours and days of life in such a way to find rest and Sabbath time?  Name what your barriers are to this.  Offer those to God this week seeking well-being and pursuing God’s very best version of you.

 As a resource on finding rest, consider a regular blog on this subject from Shelly Miller at: shellymillerwriter.com or her book, Rhythms of Rest: Finding the Spirit of Sabbath in a Busy World.