Much as I wish I could control all things sometimes, I can’t. My limits frustrate me. The state of the world often frustrates me. I come face to face daily with the reality that there are many things out of my control, out of my hands. But then I look outside, and I breathe in the wonder and the complexity of even the little bit of the world that I can see, and I am freshly amazed at the wonderful creativity of the world that God created.

This is part of the call to Sabbath: not simply a call to go to church, although that is definitely part of the biblical call, and not simply a specific time to rest, but also a time to pay attention, and to savor. We savor the fact that God calls us, that God loves us—even in a world which has multiple needs and ecosystems. We savor that we serve a good God, who always calls us to better things, and who has our good in mind. And we savor the fact that while we have a role to play in the world, we are part of a wider creation—a creation that God called good. Scholars have pointed out that when God “rests” in the creation story, it’s an indication that God simply likes what God has created—that God is pleased.

So as we come together, whether it be for a harvest dinner, or for service work, or for worship together, let us remember to savor—to pay attention, to be grateful.

I’ll see you on Sunday—

Becky

Prayer

Holy God,

In the midst of all of this trouble in the world,

It can be difficult to see you at work.

We ask for fresh eyes, for a willingness to breathe you in,

for times of simply paying attention.

We want to help,

and we know that that impulse is a good and important one.

But help us not to lose sight of you

As we try to figure out our own responsibilities.

We give you the awful reality

Of what has happened and is happening

in Israel and Gaza.

The grief and the anger and the fear,

The real injury that is happening.

We ask your blessing on the ones who are responding,

on the medical staff, on the aid workers,

and on all those who are doing everything they can

to help people in need.

We ask your guidance on the diplomats and the peacemakers,

that they continue to keep their eyes on both justice and peace.

You know better that we do what the solution could be.

We give it all to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.