Lectio:
“Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.”
— Zen Saying
Meditatio:
There are times in life when the best thing to do is nothing.
To be still. To wait. To rest.
Not in anticipation, but in acquiescence—
in submission, in surrender, in faith.
From time to time, we need the reminder
that our efforts do not sustain us,
that we are not God,
that we are loved.
“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:2).
Oratio:
My dear Sabbath,
you are a faithful lover,
though I come to you reluctantly—
anxiously laying my head upon your bosom,
resisting your warm embrace;
a bittersweet reminder
that I am creation, not Creator;
that without my vain efforts,
life continues uninterrupted.
The wildflowers bloom without my assistance;
the waves crash upon the shore
without asking where I am.
My dear Sabbath,
your loving eyes convict me,
betraying my faithlessness
while calling me back unceasingly,
with your steadfast promise
of restoration and recollection.
Contemplatio:
In what area of your life are you being invited to surrender to Sabbath rest, trusting that God is at work even when you are still?
Related Scripture:
“Cease striving and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10 (NRSV)
For Further Reading:
If you enjoyed this post, you may also like Peace of Soul: How To Trust God’s Word And Not Be In A Hurry
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Grappling With Divinity.
Wrestling With God.
Returning To Love.
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