Sabbath take Nine

How many of you wondered during the last post, "What's the deal with the photo of the rocks?"  May you got to the end of the post and said, "But he didn't say anything about the rocks?"  So, why...why the rocks?

Another definition of Sabbath is foundation on which we build our weeks and our lives.  Rocks, like Sabbath, come in different shapes, sizes, and shades.  What I consider beautiful in a rock, you might say, "Meh."  Just like the way I enter the spaciousness of Sabbath you might feel like is too constrictive or heavy or just plain boring.  Sabbath, like the rocks above, is influenced and impacted by time.  The rocks above were forged and formed into what we see by the rain and elements over centuries.  Similarly, Sabbath will shape us slowly.  It isn't that I observe Sabbath for ten weeks and now levitate two feet off the ground.  There is no grand guarantee with Sabbath.  It is the slow work of the spirit.

Sabbath as rocks also reminds me that time has moments that feel big (like the larger rocks) and moments that feel less significant (like some of the pebbles).  When we enter Sabbath, it allows us to see time and our lives in a different way.  What were those BIG moments for you this last week.  The ones that occupied the most time or felt the heaviest?  What were those tiny moments that still left an impact on you...filling in-between other events?

If your week is visually represented by this photo ~ what big events happened?  What small events happened?  Try to assign experiences and encounters to each of the rocks above ~ naming them.  I realize this might be a bit odd.  But Sabbath - sacred speed bump - pause - allows for review and reflection of where we are.

So, here is another prayer practice.  Begin with a breathing in to the count of three and exhaling to the count of six. Again.  Breathe in saying softly and slowly, "I breathe in the Creator...Redeemer...and Sustainer."  Pause.  Now exhale saying, "I breathe out the stress...strain...worry...and fear of life."  Take some time.

Now say to yourself.

Here I am God.  Conjure in your mind and heart where "here" is.  Are you in your house?  Or outside?  What sounds, sights, smells, sensations are stirring around you?

Spend a minute or two minutes with this invitation.

Then say:

Here You are God.  Open yourself to God's presence.  Is God's still singing voice serenading you?  Is it a stillness?  Is there restlessness or wrestling within you (remembering Jacob wrestled with God)?  What is the holy nudge right now?

Spend two or three minutes with this invitation.

Finally say:

Here we are together.

Breathe and be.

Breathe and be.

Rest in the One who on the seventh day still rests.

May you find more than a trace of God's grace in this prayer practice.