Thought for the day – Sunday 5th July 2020
One of the precious gifts the Methodist Church gives to its Ministers is a Sabbatical every seven
years, this gift is not a three months holiday, it is a time to stop, reflect, recharge the batteries and
move on with a fresh insight and enthusiasm. I am constantly aware that this is not a gift afforded to
everybody and for that reason, I am particularly appreciative.
As July moves on we move into that period of time when a lot of people will be taking well earned
rest, this year is particularly strange because even holidays don’t work in the same way that we have
grown accustomed to throughout our lives and as people have been working from home or self-
isolating, holidays look very much like any other day of the week.
I still find Sundays very strange, I am used to conducting several services every Sunday, but now find
myself with a full diary, but at the same time nothing happening and I am spending time at my desk
seven days a week, in our Bible reading today we hear Jesus say these important words:-
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my
yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will
find rest for your souls”
Rest and recuperation are vital to our well-being. There is a trend in the modern world to think that
working every waking moment is a fine attribute and, in a world, where we are on call with mobile
phones 24/7, it can be tempting not to take breaks.
Listen to God, he is telling us to come to him when we are tired and weary, to find rest in him, it isn’t
just ministers who need to stop, reflect, recharge the batteries and move on with fresh insight and
enthusiasm.
Take five minutes, listen to a nice piece of quiet music and relax in God’s presence.
