Sabbath Storms

Fridays have been my day off for many, many years. I am supposed to take off Friday as my personal sabbath and Saturday as my family day, but somehow life doesn’t always work that way. On this particular Friday, as I head into a very busy weekend of worship planning and leading, my hope is to actually take off this entire day. With heavy rain expected, I’m thinking this will be a great day to just do nothing. It’s been a very demanding week, and storms make for good sleeping background noise. Maybe a nap is in order.  Whenever I feel like I need a day off, I try to remember the apostles during those first days after Pentecost. The Book of Acts is filled with stories of their plights and triumphs. As they diligently put every effort into telling about their journey with Jesus, they are faced with unhappy officials. Killing Jesus was supposed to be the end of all this. How can these men, knowing how Jesus had been crucified, continue to teach about new life? Aren’t they afraid? The religious leaders wonder how they can feel justified teaching in the Temple. I wonder how they can feel safe. Either way, the disciples continue their work.  “The high priest, together with his allies, the Sadducees, was overcome with jealousy. They seized the apostles and made a public show of putting them in prison. An angel from the Lord opened the prison doors during the night and led them out. The angel told them, “Go, take your place in the temple, and tell the people everything about this new life.” Early in the morning, they went into the temple as they had been told and began to teach.” (Acts 5:17-21 CEB) Obedient. The apostles were nothing if not obedient. Even after being thrown in jail, they returned to the Temple. Yes, the instruction had come from God’s messenger, but I still wonder if I would have had that kind of courage. The high priest was super resentful and was looking for reasons to get them out of the way. Already they had been imprisoned, and crucifixion was always a possibility. Still, when God’s hand released them from their captivity, they headed straight back into the storm. Taking a day off wasn’t an option. No time for a nap. Telling people about Jesus took over everything else they faced.  I do love a good day off complete with naps, and I am thankful for the moments of quiet I get to enjoy. I’m more thankful for the blessing of serving the One whose umbrella of Love shelters me through life’s storms.  Covered,Pastor Beth  ​