The final countdown

It's the last week of my Sabbatical and today I have finished the reading I wanted to do on Sabbath Theology. The 3 books have all been published since I wrote my dissertation on the same subject. They have helped me reflect on the subject more, including new thinking I would include in the dissertation if I was to write it today.

The main addition would be from Walter Brueggermann reflecting on the Sabbath commandment (the other two authors reference his book). Walter contrasts the creation story and commandment of rest, with the Israelites life before the Exodus..

Pharaoh was a demanding boss, who demanded more and more from the Israelite slaves. Productivity and his own intetests were the only important things and he was a selfish, anxious man who could not let go, unable to trust others. 

In contrast we read that God wasn't a workaholic...on the 7th day he rested, and enjoyed creation. God had complete confidence in the life giving capacity of creation.

In the commandments given to Moses, the  1st 3 could have been what Pharaoh said, but the other 6 make the difference and turns Pharoah's principleson their head; it's about rest and relationship, not productivity for everyone! It's about enjoying creation and our place in God's world. Rest isn't simply withdrawing though, its about building relationships wuth God and others and bringing justice and providing physical needs to others especially those most in need. 

All 3 books have given me lots to think about especially as I return to circuit next week, including how to make space and time to do things that energise and give me Sabbath Rest.. I've been challenged to consider digitally detox, not allowing myself to be 'permanently available' , set aside time to read and walk and there are many brilliant questions to continue to reflect questions in Nicola Slee's book, which will be important to reask myself in the next few weeks. 

I'm back at work officially on Tues (2nd July), but before that some space, a routine hospital appt. and a weekend in Leeds for Rachel Moss's ordination, where it will be a privilege to be her "supporting minister". Please do pray for her (and all those being ordained). 

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

We have been on holiday this week, with my dad, sister and brother in law to Woodhall Spa, a place we went to a lot as children. It was only a few days so didn't get much time to see lots of things but it was good to relive bits of my childhood and youth in Woodhall, Lincoln and Boston, as well as catching up with family and friends. 

Today we met my brother in Yorkshire to 'dad-tag' followed by visiting friends, who we haven't seen for  a long time, then a trip to Yorkshire Sculpture Park. 

It was brilliant to walk around looking at some of the Sculptures (we only did about half of the grounds) and have space to be (in God's creation) 

If I lived closer I would be tempted to buy a seasonal ticket so I could visit more often, as it certainly felt like Sabbath stuff. It's something I need to ensure I do in another way when I return to circuit work next month. 

Last time I went to YSP, I was struck by one exhibit, and I was today as well (See photos). It's called Diario by Mikayel Ohanjanyan and reflects the authors interest in human relationships. 

Blocks of marble are seemingly strangled by steel cables penetrating the surface of the skin to reveal glimpses of the interior. However, when you examine the blocks carefully you can see half visible inscriptions of the names of everyone he has met. 

In Isaiah 49, we are told that God says

"See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." 

There is something comforting about knowing that we are held in either God's (or other people's) hands ..we feel loved and valued. 

I'm left with some thoughts to reflect on which I hope you will find helpful as well. 

1) Who would you write on a block if you were the artist? Are there people you have lost touch with, and you want to reconnect with? Take some time to pray for those who you name and maybe take sometime to get back in touch. 

2) What about those who we don't know the name of? Those who are seen as a statistic rather than a person. There names are also engraved in God's hands... and need to feel love and valued too. Many of them have 'no voice' in society... can we speak out for them by challenging politicians and leaders to put them first. This is not a political broadcast, but a plea to take time to research what all the parties are promising and support those who (as the hymn says) 'speak out for those who have no voices'