Sabbath in Galilee

As the sun set Friday, you could tell something was coming. There was anticipation in the air – a sense of something about to happen. We watched as people bustled here and there, each one scurrying on to an important moment to was to be shared. For me this anticipation was felt because of my surroundings, but for the people of Galilee it meant that Sabbath was about to arrive.

This morning, as my fellow pilgrims journeying with me in the Holy Land drove to our first stop, businesses were closed up and entire cities were shut down. Our guide mentioned that in many places in the world there is difficulty in the secular and sacred intermingling, but not so in Israel. In Jewish villages, Saturday is for stillness, it is for rest, it is for being with God. Our Muslim cousins celebrate their holy day on Friday and a good deal of their work ceases as well. As we drove through the cities, things looked abandoned – things looked still – things looked calm; as if preparations had been made for a great celebration.

In a few hours, it will be Sunday here in Israel and most of this country will begin the work week. Back home, Sunday has become a day for church or washing the car or doing errands or maybe some other types of work as we prepare for the week. Our mix of sacred and secular is divided quite nicely (and we like it that way). Many of us will go to church, pass the plate and sing a song and hope the preacher doesn’t go too long (Southern Hills will be free from that anxiety tomorrow as my dear friend and colleague, Jill Ruhl will be preaching for me). We come and go and often are just as tired at days end as we were when it all began.

I wonder how much we would gain if we guarded our holy day as much as our Jewish and Muslim neighbors do? Would we relish worship more? Would we be a more at peace people? Would we allow the separation or compartmentalization of our lives to continue? I know that having a sabbath doesn’t equal peace or solve all problems- look at the Middle East and you’ll know better. But what if it did add a little peace to you and me? What if we stopped and prepared to celebrate the coming together of our larger faith family each Sunday? What if we entered to worship after we had rested well and had celebrated with our loved ones? What if we came to our churches and had already been stilled so that when we hear sacred words we are not just offered transformation but we experienced transformation?

As the Sabbath ends here in Israel an energy begins to return to the Kibbutz where our hotel is located. Music comes from the shops and the market begins to bustle. Families walk together and a new life seems to emerge. As I continue on this journey, I want to take the sense of sabbath rest with me – to drink deeply of Holy Spirit’s presence and to hear the voice of my Abba call me to restoration. I pray you will have that same experience as you rest tonight and as you gather to worship with the Family in the morning. And may the rest of sabbath fill with you a new love for God, for one another and even for yourself.

PS – I can’t tell you what a joy it has been to travel with my 15 year old. Thank you for your kind words about his posts – they have been a tremendous encouragement to him. TJ has had a difficult year and a half, and I am praying that this trip brings him a deep healing. I ask for you to pray that with me. I have been in awe of his wonder as he has looked out of plane windows for the first time, tasted local foods, and feverishly journaled so he “won’t forget a thing.” His wonder inspires me and I pray it continues to do so.

Grace and Peace

Jim