Posted Sunday 1 July 2007
By the time we get to this point in the year most people are in need of a holiday, writes Rev Canon Tom Montgomery of St Margaret’s, Newlands. They’re tired, they could do with some sunshine and they’d love a break from their usual routine.
In the busy, demanding world in which we live, a holiday can provide a welcome respite from responsibility and enable us to be restored and renewed in body, mind and Spirit. So much so, that when we return home, we both look and feel different, ready to face the challenge of the season that lies ahead.
That is, of course, provided the holiday works out OK, there are no major transport difficulties, accommodation problems or family crises. If it all goes well, it can make a world of difference restoring our energy levels, giving us a greater sense of perspective, helping us rejoice in being human. If it doesn’t, it can be disastrous and we can get back even more wrung out than we were before we left.
I do hope that your holiday plans work out well and that you do benefit from some ‘down-time’. Even if circumstances don’t allow you to get away try to create some time and space for rest and relaxation.
You may be amazed to learn that even the Lord Jesus didn’t work 24/7. He wasn’t always proclaiming the Kingdom, feeding the multitude or engaging with those around him. He spent time with his family. He ‘bunked off’ with his friends, he had time on his own. For him these occasions were restorative and renewing, enabling him to carry out the tasks the Father had given to him - the tasks that led to the restoration and renewal of the whole world.
Those self-same occasions can be restorative and renewing for us as well. They can enable us to carry out the tasks that God our Father has given us - they can help us rediscover the energy and insight to proclaim the Kingdom, feed the multitude and engage with those around us. They can help us be an Easter People with ‘Alleluia’ as our song.
So enjoy the summer, rejoice in all the good things God has given us and be thankful.
Category: Thought for the Month
