Many motivational speakers direct their marketing efforts so they appeal to our lack of success, our poor self-image and low self-esteem. They claim to have the know how to help us be successful in life or how to achieve our highest aspirations. Some will attribute their success to the lessons they learned from sacred scripture. It’s not exactly “breaking news” that the bible provides critical insight into our own human nature, that is, if we take the time to look. Yes, the bible gives us valuable insight on how to navigate the challenges and hardships we experience in this life so that we may “live life to the fullest” as Jesus promised His followers.
Today Moses reveals God’s instructions for our well-being and happiness, key ingredients if we are to experience the best life possible. He does this with amazing efficiency, identifying ten key behaviors on how to treat God and neighbor that, if we embrace them, we are sure to be engaged in a well-ordered and balanced life. There doesn’t seem to be any real big show stoppers here, really…love God and your parents, don’t sell your soul to any idol, control your language, no adultery, don’t kill or steal or be desirous of you neighbor or his wife or their possessions. Oh, and one more little nugget of advice: come, set some quiet time and rest with me once a week says the Lord.
God’s tenderness and love for us is revealed in this commandment to keep holy the Sabbath. God is concerned about our well-being. He rested after six days of creation and He invites us to do the same, put ourselves in “Time Out” so to speak. The Third Commandment is God inviting us into His Rest, where He speaks to us, comforts us from the worries and anxieties we have suffered during the week. Resting in God is where our energy to do anything good or even have the idea to do anything good comes from; it is where our vision of the good is restored, so we can see God at work in our world and in our lives, or where He is absent, and not fall victim to the naysayers or become the voice of cynicism; it is where we come to know and experience God’s love for us; it is where we come to know God’s Divine Will for us. Resting in God is what the Sabbath Day envisioned. If we use this day as God intended, we will embrace the other commandments as well, each in their own way helping us along the road to success, which for us is loving God and loving our neighbors as ourselves. So, this Lent, let’s give ourselves a break and take some time to rest in God not just on Sundays but throughout the week as well.
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
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