Compass - Due Rest?

It is Monday and I am far away from work, both mentally and physically. For a couple of days I actually haven't considered the rising gas prices nor much of the other economic turmoil our country and it's citizens are enduring. For the past few weeks all my fellow coworkers have been discussing is the seemingly impending strike that will occur when our contract expires August 5th and I haven't given it a passing thought. It would seem that the old saying, 'distance makes the heart grow fonder' can also be translated 'distance makes the heart grow stronger.' Daily life demands our constant attention and this continual focus, necessary as it is, often translates into stress and anxiety that seems to drain our energy and our strength. Many are not fortunate to take some time away from the daily grind and I am certainly thankful that we are occasionally able to do so.


As I type, this is my view, perched a few meters above a grass covered sand dune dotted with old wooden picket and wire fences. The steady ocean breeze with the crash of the waves plays a symphony upon the seashore. Saturday we loaded our car with a weeks worth of clothing and household items and set out with our baby girl for a summer beach vacation. While all of life's priorities will still demand our attention, for just a little while my internal mariner's compass is pointing 'due rest' and relaxation.

While there are many whose lives require a much greater sacrifice than others, no matter who you are there is a point where you will need to rest. Our mortal bodies must find their rest daily and they let us know when that time comes as our eyes become heavy with sleep. If you go days on end without heeding your bodies signals for sleep there will come a time when it will exercise it's authority over your will and begin to shut itself down to rejuvenate. God gave us a pattern Himself, six days for work and then a day of rest. Please don't overlook the fact that the Sabbath as a day of rest is also a holy day of worship. As sleep rejuvenates the mortal man worship rejuvenates the spiritual man. Those who ignore God's call to worship find themselves getting weaker and weaker, spiritually.

Focus with me for a moment on our periods of rest or vacations. My friend, his son and myself spent a few hours yesterday in the surf off Carolina Beach, NC. I'm not sure exactly what it is that makes people wade out to be pummeled by the waves but whatever it is it seems to be universal because everyone does it. We were no exception either, jumping or diving into the waves with some strange sense of accomplishment only to be blindsided by the next one, which is always bigger, and being driven like a ragdoll into the sand below!

The picture I've shared with you shows the beauty and also conveys a sense of fun, peace, serenity, rest and relaxation but there is also a great spiritual representation in this picture. Wherever we go for our rest, whether daily, weekly or yearly, we must always be aware that our enemy never sleeps for he needs no rest or rejuvenation. The enemy of our souls was created an eternal being and he is constantly watching us for moments of weakness or complacency when our guard will be down. This is cause for concern for those Christians who have been away for some time. Away from worship, away from fellowship with the Church and away from fellowship with God their maker.

If you look closely in the center of the picture you will see a lifeguard tower and on that tower you will see a red flag. What this flag represents is something that you can in no way determine by what your eyes tell you. Miles out to sea there is a hurricane named Bertha who is not presenting any danger to the North Carolina coast but even though there is no chance of landfall she is still making her presence known. That red flag is there to warn swimmers that there is a very dangerous and potentially deadly undertow and rip-current just off-shore. If you venture out too far you will be fighting against a force that you cannot see that is trying to drag you out much further than you want to go. This my friend, his son and I know first hand. We all got caught in the speed and power of it's pull and could not resist the force drawing us out into deeper waters. He got behind his son and would push him on breaking waves as I worked ahead to pull him to shore. Needless to say it was a little frightening and exhausting but the key is to not panic and angle with the current to shore. If you should find yourself unable to break free signal to shore and call out to the lifeguard.

In life we often find ourselves searching for some time away with family or friends or perhaps just some time alone. Sometimes for a little while, sometimes for a long while. Whether we drive for a day or vacation in place always pay attention to the warning signs that God places in prominent places for us to see. They are there for a reason whether we perceive any potential danger or not. God sees what we do not and knows something that He wants us to watch out for so He places 'red flags' in our lives for our own good. So enjoy your rest and time away but be vigilant and heed His warnings lest the current takes you out much further than you want to go!

Blessings! Pastor Curt