Dear Friends,
There seems to be a theme of weariness this week, as we contemplate just how long the coronavirus restrictions will need to continue, and we still aren’t able to do many of the things that refresh us, and give us joy. Some of us are beginning to get burnt out, especially those juggling home-schooling and working from home, yet others are finding that their lives are too quiet, and loneliness is kicking in. Actually, I suspect that weariness is something that all of us are feeling at the moment, because we are having to adapt and work out how to live in new ways, and the advice keeps changing, which is stressful. So what can we do about it?
Jesus says in Matthew 11 ‘come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’
He’s speaking to people for whom life is difficult, or perhaps have had unreasonable demands placed upon them by others. It could even mean those who are finding their religious practice exhausting. I like the Message translation of this passage:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Doesn’t this sound inviting? When Jesus says ‘come to me’, he means ‘come here to me, come and be close to me, come and walk with me, share my life, and let me share yours.’ It sounds a much gentler and more wholesome way to live than the highly stressed world we often get caught up in. It would be good to take time to reflect this week, how are we, how are our energy levels, do we need to listen more carefully to Jesus’s words, to seek out his company, and search for that ‘rest for our souls’? The word rest has resonances with the Hebrew ‘Shalom’, the word for peace and wholeness, completeness, and it feels like a very welcome and refreshing place to be.
I know that for many of you being able to come to church is a way in which you find rest, and a closeness to God, as well as fellowship with others, and that you’ve really missed regular worship in church in recent weeks. We are working on a plan to open church for individual prayer, and in the longer term, to find safe ways to enable Sunday worship in church. Please bear with us, as we work this out, and are still waiting for the final details on how we may do so safely in our context.
This weekend as we celebrate the work of the NHS, we will be remembering with gratitude and appreciation those staff in the caring professions who will be particularly weary, exhausted physically, emotionally, and spiritually, due to working at high pressure and in conditions where they are personally at risk. Let’s pray especially for them, that they would be refreshed.
A prayer for those who work in the NHS
Everlasting God,
at this time we lift to you those from all nations and backgrounds who work on the front line in healthcare.
Give them skill and wisdom in their work.
Be their strength and their shield as they give of themselves in the care of others.
Amen.
With grace and peace,
Sue McWhinney
sue@stjohnsfarsley.org.uk
07484 181699