We are now full-steam into our sabbatical season. It will be good coffee as we connect with friends, family and more importantly, our Lord in contemplative reflection; intentionally choosing to do all with an eye to "returning and rest" in "quietness and trust" in keeping with the spirit of Isaiah 30:15, our Scriptural compass during this season. Yes, in our return to the States we have been instructed by our leaders to no less than 70% of our time given to rest (what a great Thanksgiving thanksgiving!), but our real mission will be to seek qualitative Rest as we look for refreshing times of Quietness with the hope of experiencing deep Trust in God and each other upon our Returning to our land of origin.
I wonder how serious we think of these four elements as we contemplate our "salvation" and "strength" in our day-to-day hustle-n-bustle. This passage of Scripture was given by the Prophet Isaiah in the form of a rebuke best seen in the closing statement of the verse "but you were unwilling." We choose to be willing! "Lord, grant us Rest, Quietness and Trust in our Return!" Isaiah writes this as a part of a larger narrative during a time of tremendous outward glory for the people of God whom had experienced prosperity even in their divided kingdoms rules. Spanning the reigns of some twenty-one kings from Uzziah to Jehoiachin in the southern Kingdom of Judah and Jehoash to Hoshea in the northern Kingdom of Israel the Prophet Isaiah ceaselessly called upon his people to repent (i.e. return) from their idolatrous ways of looking to foreign gods for help, their living self-reliantly in their daily pursuit of sustenance in their own strength and their pleading for help in all the wrong places (e.g. looking to the super imperial power of Egypt for staving off the impending Assyrian and Syro-Ephraimic conquests). Sound a bit like today?! Sure it does! But before we look at others, criticize our governments or make undo resolutions it will do us well to look at ourselves and contemplate a bit. To whom do I really put my trust? What do I think I need for quietness in my soul? Is it a bed, a vacation, more money? "If I could only work a bit harder" we ask, "acquire a bit more," "buy that one other thing I need." Taking a moment to reflect upon our imminent Thanksgiving holiday, what is it I am really hoping for in this holiday? Do I think I will find some measure of 'salvation' or 'strength' in the dynamics of the holiday? "Oh that I would be close to my family and friends for in them will be my salvation and strength" we might muse. No!!! Never!!! It is God and Him alone that I find my salvation and strength. It must be God in whom I find my rest and quietness. Let us join in the chorus of the redeemed, "I will trust in God and Him alone!" Listen, this is not to dismiss the importance of family and friends, but they are to occupy their proper place. It is God and Him alone where we find our most wholesome and abundant life. We believe the Lord would have us remind ourselves of this often during our sabbatical; it is God to whom we must regard for our rest, our quietness and our trust. May it be so for us! And may it be so for you this holiday season!