Take care to enter that rest....
Hebrews 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest(4520) to the people of God.
The number 4520 is what is known as a Strongs reference number which links the word to it's Hebrew or Greek definition. Mr Strong compiled a superb exhaustive concordance which I have used over the last ten years of ministry.
So - according to Strong - the definition of rest from the Greek here is
Gr. sabbatismos, a Sabbath rest, a rest from all work (Heb_4:9; R.V., "sabbath"), a rest like that of God when he had finished the work of creation.
Not that I'm comparing my work with that of God, but the Lord does tell us to rest from work in order to be refreshed. I've felt strongly for many years about the principle of working from rest rather than resting from work. To this end, during the Summer months our fellowship meets only once on Sundays to allow more quality time with family and friends during the good weather and light nights. Then in the Autumn we return to our activities refreshed and eager.
I've been the pastor at Elgin since March 99 plus about three years in fairly hands-on eldering prior to that. Not very long really when you read about other pastors and ministers who serve for decades....but that's them and I'm a bit wussy in comparison.
However, last March I felt I needed a sabbatical, but for various reasons it didn't happen. Now almost eight years into my pastoral career, I 'hit a wall' last Sunday.
Thankfully I have an excellent team around me and it was agreed that I should have a rest.
So as of Sunday last I'm now on sabbatical.IN rest!
The lead up was so strange. I wanted to keep going but had a sense of nothing in me with which to carry on. I felt as though I was letting people down, running away, copping out etc. I'm at peace now, knowing that I've a long stretch ahead of me in which I can seek the Lord because I want to do so rather than just prepare for leading, speaking, guiding etc.
Already this morning I was able to take a lonnnnnnnnngggggggggggg time over my devotionals, sharing with the Mem Sahib as I did so, followed up with some light and often entertaining reading in the study and on the net.
I'll be spending a lot more time with my two daughters and respective hubbies as well as visiting some of the other fellowships in my area.
I'm really looking forward to seeking a deeper life in Jesus than I've ever known before, and I'm excited that this may be the time.
The number 4520 is what is known as a Strongs reference number which links the word to it's Hebrew or Greek definition. Mr Strong compiled a superb exhaustive concordance which I have used over the last ten years of ministry.
So - according to Strong - the definition of rest from the Greek here is
Gr. sabbatismos, a Sabbath rest, a rest from all work (Heb_4:9; R.V., "sabbath"), a rest like that of God when he had finished the work of creation.
Not that I'm comparing my work with that of God, but the Lord does tell us to rest from work in order to be refreshed. I've felt strongly for many years about the principle of working from rest rather than resting from work. To this end, during the Summer months our fellowship meets only once on Sundays to allow more quality time with family and friends during the good weather and light nights. Then in the Autumn we return to our activities refreshed and eager.
I've been the pastor at Elgin since March 99 plus about three years in fairly hands-on eldering prior to that. Not very long really when you read about other pastors and ministers who serve for decades....but that's them and I'm a bit wussy in comparison.
However, last March I felt I needed a sabbatical, but for various reasons it didn't happen. Now almost eight years into my pastoral career, I 'hit a wall' last Sunday.
Thankfully I have an excellent team around me and it was agreed that I should have a rest.
So as of Sunday last I'm now on sabbatical.IN rest!
The lead up was so strange. I wanted to keep going but had a sense of nothing in me with which to carry on. I felt as though I was letting people down, running away, copping out etc. I'm at peace now, knowing that I've a long stretch ahead of me in which I can seek the Lord because I want to do so rather than just prepare for leading, speaking, guiding etc.
Already this morning I was able to take a lonnnnnnnnngggggggggggg time over my devotionals, sharing with the Mem Sahib as I did so, followed up with some light and often entertaining reading in the study and on the net.
I'll be spending a lot more time with my two daughters and respective hubbies as well as visiting some of the other fellowships in my area.
I'm really looking forward to seeking a deeper life in Jesus than I've ever known before, and I'm excited that this may be the time.
posted by It's Dave at Monday, February 12, 2007
3 Comments:
You aint no wuss by any stretch of the imagination! I'm looking forward to seeing God bless your booties off over the coming weeks and years - and also the extra quality time you promised. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that by making the commitment to spend more time with me and Fran on your blog, you have now entered into a legally binging agreement! Fran will back me up on this one!
So see you Wednesday!
xx
I'm with MimsieD - you're no wuss, just someone intelligent enough to know when to stop...
Also I'm sure you'll enjoy the facility to legally binge! ;-)
Goodness...even Jesus went off by himself to spend time with the Father!
Rest, restore. You can't fill the cups of others when yours is empty.
God bless.
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