It is hard to see how much God works in our lives when we are in the middle of everything. I look at this man that was sitting by the pool, if you were to ask him what God was doing in his life you’d probably not here a story any different than what people say all around us today.
It is only when we look back on our lives that we see where God was. This is because there are too many distractions around us keeping our mind occupied. Our bills keep us away from see the financial blessings we have received. Our health insurance costs are keeping us from living a quality life. It is funny how many of our distractions are money based. It leads me to wonder why do we let this happen?
The sabbath was instituted by God to give us a day to rest from labor (among many other things). When God gave thi command to Israel they had just left Egypt which for them was a land of slavery. Their worth was dedicated to how much they could do. The sabbath gave them a chance to realize that there was more to them than work and what labor can provide.
The problem is many people take the rest period too serious sometimes, and forget to work even when there is something important to do. This is the issue between the religious leaders and Jesus. Clearly somethikng needed to be done for this man. Everyone knew this and did nothing. Jesus happened to see him and told him to get up. For that man the greatest thing occured and he didn’t care who did it or on what day, he could walk.
Sometimes we get caught up in things and forget the main things. We forget that people have to work, and sometimes they have to work on a Sunday. And some people might need to think about working in some way because they are living off of others. Sabbath, Jesus said, was made for the man not the man for the sabbath. We need to have cycle of work and rest, career and play, and in all things worship and praise. Today examine your life, see where God has been working. Also consider your own cycles of life are you taking time to labor and rest. And are our meetings and churches allowing worship times to assist those who have varying labor cycles?
Very good points. I have a couple friends who refuse to work Sundays. When I had a job that had floating days I often worked Sundays without thought of the Sabbath. It is easy to get caught in everyday life and not see what is being done for you or what is truly important.
Posted by steve rice | June 30, 2011, 9:16 AMI know what you mean steve. I have refused to work sundays all my life. But I think what we need is churches worshiping all the time instead of only one day. But when people have to work to pay bills why are we not encouraging them to worship as well on their days off.
Posted by jwquaker | June 30, 2011, 6:43 PM