(Photo from www.freeimages.com #683215)
Mostly, I have thought of Sabbath as a personal discipline. It has been, for me, something I do on my own, like praying or going to church or eating less chocolate. I know that this something is good for me even if it isn't always enjoyable. Joy hasn't been the point.
But, maybe I've been wrong.
Maybe Sabbath was never intended to be a solo journey. And maybe joy is specifically the point. Maybe Sabbath is less like a solo discipline and more like a road trip or even a great-big block party:
Set apart a tithe of all the yield of your seed that is brought in yearly from the field. In the presence of the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose as a dwelling for his name, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, your wine, and your oil, as well as the firstlings of your heard and flock, so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. But if, when the Lord your God has blessed you, the distance is so great that you are unable to transport it, because the place where the Lord your God will choose to set his name is too far away from you, then you may turn it into money. With the money secure in hand, go to the place that the Lord your God will choose; spend the money for whatever you wish—oxen, sheep, wine, strong drink, or whatever you desire. And you shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your household rejoicing together.” (Deuteronomy 14:22-26)
It seems to me that the command here is to get to where God is and then celebrate with everyone else who has made the trip. Joy is specifically the point. And if you can't make it to where God dwells, then invite everyone over and celebrate the blessings of God where you are. Only, be careful to avoid the BBQ if you are a vegan. Be wary of the punch bowl if you are a teetotaler. Forget about decency and orderliness. The only command is to rejoice and to rejoice together.
Last Saturday, our family took a road trip. Our oldest son was playing in a basketball tournament out of town. As luck would have it, there was a swimming pool in the same facility. Our two little ones spent a lot of time perfecting their swan dives and belly flops between games. My wife packed a gourmet picnic lunch. We cheered wildly and almost won the championship. We finished the day at a Mexican restaurant eating salsa and chips and celebrating sky hooks and swan dives. We even had a little chocolate for dessert. It was a beautiful Sabbath, a lovely Valentine's day, and a great party!
I like Sabbath this way better: together and not alone. In fact, I like the idea of a party better than worship and wonder would happen if we thought of church in the same way...as celebration..."you and your household rejoicing together." I don't know. It might be a disaster. Someone may sing too loud, eat too much chocolate, or start to dance. But, maybe in the midst of it all, we would laugh a little and give God some room to move. Who knows what might happen if church were more of a party and joy was the point.
But, maybe I've been wrong.
Maybe Sabbath was never intended to be a solo journey. And maybe joy is specifically the point. Maybe Sabbath is less like a solo discipline and more like a road trip or even a great-big block party:
Set apart a tithe of all the yield of your seed that is brought in yearly from the field. In the presence of the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose as a dwelling for his name, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, your wine, and your oil, as well as the firstlings of your heard and flock, so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. But if, when the Lord your God has blessed you, the distance is so great that you are unable to transport it, because the place where the Lord your God will choose to set his name is too far away from you, then you may turn it into money. With the money secure in hand, go to the place that the Lord your God will choose; spend the money for whatever you wish—oxen, sheep, wine, strong drink, or whatever you desire. And you shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your household rejoicing together.” (Deuteronomy 14:22-26)
It seems to me that the command here is to get to where God is and then celebrate with everyone else who has made the trip. Joy is specifically the point. And if you can't make it to where God dwells, then invite everyone over and celebrate the blessings of God where you are. Only, be careful to avoid the BBQ if you are a vegan. Be wary of the punch bowl if you are a teetotaler. Forget about decency and orderliness. The only command is to rejoice and to rejoice together.
Last Saturday, our family took a road trip. Our oldest son was playing in a basketball tournament out of town. As luck would have it, there was a swimming pool in the same facility. Our two little ones spent a lot of time perfecting their swan dives and belly flops between games. My wife packed a gourmet picnic lunch. We cheered wildly and almost won the championship. We finished the day at a Mexican restaurant eating salsa and chips and celebrating sky hooks and swan dives. We even had a little chocolate for dessert. It was a beautiful Sabbath, a lovely Valentine's day, and a great party!
I like Sabbath this way better: together and not alone. In fact, I like the idea of a party better than worship and wonder would happen if we thought of church in the same way...as celebration..."you and your household rejoicing together." I don't know. It might be a disaster. Someone may sing too loud, eat too much chocolate, or start to dance. But, maybe in the midst of it all, we would laugh a little and give God some room to move. Who knows what might happen if church were more of a party and joy was the point.
Church Stopping. Less doing. More being.
No comments:
Post a Comment