Sabbath Rest

Fwoof, fwoof, fwoof. Nose to the ground, blowing air through his lips to raise the scent to his nose, Captain, a fourteen month old beagle, is all about finding the cat or rabbit daring to cross his territory. He knows his job, track the rascally varmint, and he does it with all of his might.

Smell the trail, track the cat, that’s his job, and he is going to do it come Hell or high water. In fact, he does it so intently that he often misses the actual cat or rabbit. He has often passed right by the cat, sitting quietly in a clump of high grass, because his nose is to the ground.

Once, Captain tracked the scent of the cat right up to the tail end of the sleeping beast. Startled by actually finding what he was looking for, Captain stopped, looked at the cat for a few seconds and then glanced at me. It was as if he was asking, “Now what?”

Some of us get so caught up in our work that we also don’t know what to do once we actually reach the goal.

ü  Get to work, finish the proposal
ü  Pick up treats for kid’s class
ü  Mow yard
ü  Stop at cleaners
ü  Take dinner to sick

We focus so hard on getting all of the items checked off the to-do list that we forget the purpose of the list in the first place.

“I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart.

I will tell of all your wonders.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”
Psalm 9:1-2

Our work is to do what the Father gives us to do, and do it for His glory. But God never burdens us with a load too heavy or a task too difficult. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light, remember?

What? You’re worn out? You don’t feel like the burden is light? You feel like you’re walking uphill under a ninety pound knapsack full of pointy, pokey bricks?

Then, like Captain, you have probably forgotten why you are doing this job, living this life. It is time for you to rest and renew your purpose.

I know, I know. You don’t have time to rest, to stop working, to lift your nose from the path. I know. You’re better than God. You don’t need a Sabbath.

And you know foolish talk when you hear it. So stop and listen to what you are really saying, and rest. Then you will know what to do when you come upon the cat.

“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8