A theology of rest

Last week, the Australian work and life index report was released (http://www.unisa.edu.au/hawkeinstitute/cwl/documents/AWALI2010-exec-summary.pdf). This report found that over a quarter of those people in full-time employment in Australia averaged over 48 hours/week and that 60% of Australian workers do not use their leave allocations (says he, looking at a church council agenda noting one week of leave is carried over from my first year of qualified stipended ministry). One observer reported that discussions with workers who don't take leave revealed a fear that if they took leave and their workplace suffered they would be in trouble, or if the workplace went well they would become dispensable and put their jobs at risk.

In the lead-up to last week's sermon I was reminded of some "Cash Converters" advertisements that depicted people with object-shaped holes in their torsos. Other people would sell their unwanted items and thus get money and fill the holes in these people's lives. I know it's horribly simplistic, but how many products and things try to be the hole in our lives?

What do you need to make your life complete?

What cannot you afford to lose?

What keeps you awake at night?

Meet the object of your worship.

In Luke 11, Jesus says "do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom." (GNB)

Now for some good advice:
"Nothing brings so much pain to the spirit as anxiety and (cares)... Has not each day a burden enough of its own, in its own cares? Why do you then add to them by laying on those that belong to another day?"

Sounds like a good piece of popular psychology doesn't it? It sure makes sense, and seems to speak to contemporary issues... but it comes from John Chrisostom in the fourth century. (All my quotes in this reflection are taken from pages 49 and 50 of Gary Peluso-Vordend's book "Taking Attention", I'm not through it yet, but it's making a lot of sense so far)

Does this mean we live a life without planning, without consideration for the effect our lives have on our future, on others, and on our planet (a brief nod to environmental theology that I forgot in the sermon)?

For this I turn to John Wesley "What Jesus here condemns is, the care of the heart; the anxious, uneasy care; the care that has torment; all such care as does hurt, either to the soul or body. What he forbids is, that care which, sad experience shows, wastes the blood and drinks up the spirits; which anticipates all the misery it fears, and comes to torment us before the time. He forbids only the care which poisons the blessings of today, by fear of what could happen tomorrow; which cannot enjoy the present plenty, through apprehensions of future want. This care is not only a sore disease, a grievous sickness of the soul, but also a heinous offense against God, a sin of the deepest dye. It is a high affront to the gracious Governor and wise Disposer of all things; necessarily implying, that the great Judge does not do all things right; that he does not order all things well. It plainly implies. that he is wanting, either in wisdom, if he does not know what things we stand in need of; or in goodness, if he does not provide those things for all who put their trust in him."

To recap, the concern that is being posed is that care which poisons the blessings of today by fear of what may come tomorrow. In Luke 11: 33-34 Jesus challenges us to take those things which we most prize, those things that keep us awake at night and put them at the service of the Kingdom of God. This is a huge leap of faith, and one that is hard to take in one go. How can we develop our faith lives so that we are willing to give our all?

I propose the answer to this is the only spiritual discipline to get a direct mention in the Ten Commandments: that of rest.

To rest is to put your trust in God, to believe that the world will go on and the Kingdom of God is not dependent on your attention and effort.

To rest is to break away from our continual quest for obtaining more, to relax, enjoy and be thankful for the blessings that we do have and to break away from the quest for possessions that our society breaks us into.

Like all steps of faith, this probably comes in baby steps and needs to come from the place you are at. For me, my faith growth really took off when I started to set apart 20 minutes from my busy day to concentrate on God. I know a family that for a time gave up electronic devices on Sunday. Anita and I would go crazy if we tried that, but can we find a way for a while to enjoy the gifts of environment, family, friends and possessions that God has given us?

You may well ask if this is just an excuse for passivity and laziness, if the Kingdom of God is coming without our effort, why bother?

I believe the counter for this comes from the parable of the Watchful Servants in Luke 11:35-40.
We don't have this tradition in our society, but I have been privileged to discuss military life with those who have served our nation and others. When asked the mark of a good soldier, the answer almost always is one who works hard when work needs to be done and can rest when effort is not required. Military people are blessed with clear objectives and someone who can tell them when their progress is adequate. At that time, they take appropriate security measures, trust those assigned for their safety and they rest. In that way they are more ready for any coming action or unexpected situations than otherwise would be the case.

I believe it's like that with the Kingdom of God. In our lives there are moments when the Kingdom of God pokes through in actions of justice, peace, hope and love (and many other values). Our task as Church is to point to these glimpses, treasure them, foster them and get on board. How easy would it be for us to be like unwatchful servants, filling our lives with activities that are not part of the Kingdom, deafening and blinding ourselves ourselves to these revelations of God's presence in the world?

When I was in a city congregation, a concerned uncle and aunt showed me their nephew's T-shirt "Jesus is coming, you'd better look busy", perhaps the church needs the T-shirt "Jesus is here, you'd better be listening."