\u00a0<\/p>\n
June 29, 2008<\/strong><\/p>\n David Brubacher<\/strong><\/p>\n Text:<\/strong><\/p>\n Ephesians 2:11-22<\/strong><\/p>\n Mark 6:30-34, 53-56<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Introduction:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 With this being a long weekend I image people sitting at their campsites, cottages or decks saying, \u201cAh, this is the life.\u201d Even Jesus had encouraged his disciples to take a well deserved break after a busy stretch of ministry. We live in increasingly stressful times and our bodies need rest to be engaged in the activities to which God calls us.\u00a0 Personally I like nothing better than sitting on our deck at the end of a busy day. With a beverage of choice and a book or a cross word puzzle, I too have said, \u201cAh, this is the life!\u201d If there is something to eat, it\u2019s even better. My only regret is that this does not happen as often as I wish.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Finding that balance between meaningful vocational activity and rest is becoming a life passion. As a person of faith I believe we are created of God, created in God\u2019s image. In the act of creation God modeled the importance of Sabbath and rested as the last act of creation. In our busy and over stressed urban life-styles I think we tend to see rest as opposite to an act of creation. \u00a0As my family will tell you, I have not always been the best example of the sermon I am preaching today. \u00a0By nature I have tended to be driven and loyal. Getting the job down at all cost has been something of a life motto. Today I regret some of the cost. That regret is the primary reason that I am not considering long-term ministry opportunities at this time in my life. Until I retire, I expect to be active in my carpentry business and continue to be open to shorter-term ministry opportunities. That feels like the right balance for me at this time.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Finding the balance between meaningful activity and rest is an issue at all stages of life. God created us with certain gifts. I believe we experience our greatest fulfillment in life when we find creative and life-giving ways to use those gifts in a vocation or significant avocation. I do not believe that the rest we desire is found in perpetual idleness. However, vacations and relaxing times on the deck are good. So how do we find Sabbath rest in the middle of busy and stressful lives?<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This morning I invite you to ponder on the stresses in your life. What leaves you weary – looking for rest? Currently there are numerous global situations of natural disaster and conflict. Some may be experiencing illness or tragedy in the family. Financial instability causes stress. Tensions in relationships are immensely tiring. A general unsettledness also takes a lot of energy.\u00a0 On the one hand it can be said these are natural stresses of life. In the middle of stressful situations that realization is of little consolation.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In our gospel text today Jesus realized that his disciples were in the middle of a very busy and stressful period. As a compassionate leader, Jesus prescribed some well deserved R and R. He said to them, \u201cCome away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest awhile.\u201d<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 It would be overly simplistic to say that a vacation will ease our stresses. It might help, but it could also add stress. My reflections over the years on both the Ephesians and Mark texts have lead me to some conclusions on finding rest in the middle of busy and stressful living.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The degree to which we find help in the scriptures on our quest for rest may depend on our personality. For much of my life I have understood myself as an introvert. That means I have looked within myself to determine how I respond to the world around me. Ideas have shaped my actions. More recently I am discovering myself as an extrovert and I am finding that interacting with people increasingly shapes my actions.\u00a0 One is not better than the other. They are merely different. But they do impact how we engage scripture as a source guiding us to a place of rest. The letter of Ephesians has a lot of heavy theology. For someone whose actions are shaped by ideas, this is helpful. For someone who needs people connections even good theology would not generate rest.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It is important to recognize our difference so that we can surround ourselves with people that bring balance to our lives. Over the years having a spiritual director has been helpful for me. The spiritual director I have had for eight years has a more playful imagination and has helped me see how God is present in my life from a totally different perspective than my own. I find rest in that.\u00a0 Where will we find rest?\u00a0 Might it be in the middle of our stresses? Might it be with someone who brings a different perspective from our own?<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ephesians 2 has been a significant scripture for me. It has served as a theological anchor in the stresses of life. In terms of my personal relationship with God it assures me that Christ Jesus died for me while in a sinful state. It is by God\u2019s grace, not my own doing that I experience salvation and have a hope that rises above the uncertainties of this life. Quite simply it tells me that God is God and I am not. In that I find rest.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The second part of Ephesians 2, which was read this morning, was significant in my earlier work as the executive staff person for MCEC – Mennonite Church Eastern Canada. Being in leadership these days means dealing with conflict. While some people are energized by conflict, most of us find conflict stressful.\u00a0 Ephesians 2 gives me helpful images in understanding conflict and how I consider people with whom I may be in conflict.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The basic premise of this text is that Jews and Gentiles are no longer two distinct groups. Where Gentiles were once understood to be strangers or aliens to the commonwealth of Israel, now in Christ Jesus, they also have been brought near to God.\u00a0 We are all one in God\u2019s eyes. No one is more equal.\u00a0 The imagery of this text is powerful. Jesus is spoken of as \u201cour peace.\u201d In his flesh he made both groups one. The next line says it all for me, \u201c\u2026 and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us\u2026 that he might create in himself one new humanity in the place of two, thus making peace\u2026!\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Many years ago I was praying for two people in conflict. In prayer I saw these two people as snow images. God\u2019s love shone on each of them and eventually they both melted to form one puddle of water. That simplistic image has encouraged me in the middle of conflict.\u00a0 The text concludes with a powerful image of a new people of God. Here there are no strangers and foreigners. All are members of the household of God built on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Christ is the cornerstone of this new spiritual building that is being constructed into a dwelling place for God.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This has been Pride Week in the city of Toronto. Expressions of sexuality continue to be a point of contention in our society. I pray for wisdom and humility as we discern how God is building among us. Of one thing I am certain; the final shape of God\u2019s building among us will take most of us by surprise. \u00a0The images from Ephesians have provided rest for my wearyness in the middle of conflict. Conflict need not be a problem. When we see others as God sees us, conflict can be an agent of transformation.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The sections read from Mark 6 provide another set of images that may lead to a place of rest. It had been a busy hectic time for Jesus and the disciples. The activity of chapter 6 alone makes one\u2019s head spin. It starts with Jesus\u2019 rejection in his home town. Jesus sent his disciples on a mission trip. Before they give their report we are taken back to the circumstances around the death of John the Baptist. When Jesus finally hears their report he determines they are in need of rest. But the crowds keep coming; Jesus feeds five thousand people, walks on water while the disciples try to paddle through a storm and then ends up with a large healing session.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Talk about being busy. In today\u2019s world, busyness is a primary stress factor. Being too busy eventually impacts us negatively – physically, emotionally and spiritually. Being too busy means we do not have or take the time to care for ourselves and those around us. These are the times when the \u201cstuff\u201d of life happens only to add further stress.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The disciples reported the successes of their mission to Jesus: how they cast out demons, and how many whom they anointed with oil were healed. With the crowds pushing in on them they got into a boat and headed for a secluded place for some well deserved rest. \u00a0Having been to the north shore of the Sea of Galilee I have a place in mind where they may have gone. What was Jesus\u2019 intension for this time: relaxing conversation, inspiring interaction, perhaps some naps, prayer and meditation? We don\u2019t really know because the crowds beat the boat to the secluded place and before long they were back in ministry feeding thousands of people.\u00a0 From there the disciples rowed to the other side of the lake where there was a further ministry of healing. By now we are asking, \u201cOkay where is the rest in all of this.\u201d It feels like Jesus is promoting a kind of workaholism.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n What we see portrayed in Jesus is a compassion for the crowds. He sees their need. On one side of the lake he fed a large crowd. Now he responds to those who are brought for healing. Earlier Jesus recognized the need for rest, but this was a day to focus on healing. In the middle of all these activities something else was going on – Jesus was showing the disciples how the reign of God brings new life.\u00a0 Jesus\u2019 ministry was about making a difference in people\u2019s lives. Much of the busyness that stresses us is only that \u2013 busyness \u2013 running from one thing to the next \u2013 things we determine to be important. Even in the middle of busy schedules we can find immense satisfaction and energy when we see transformation and God given new life.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I recall a summer when we were taking a week of vacation at home. Midway through the week I was called to the hospital to be with a family who had to decide about removing their husband and father from life supports. I did not want to be there. In the waiting room I picked up an article titled, \u201cDeath takes no Holidays.\u201d It was not what I wanted to hear but it was what I needed. Before the end of the week I had a funeral and it was good to be with the family. I took some more holidays later.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As followers of Jesus we celebrate times of new God given life; when many are fed with limited resources and when people are healed.\u00a0 We also know about the stresses of life; tiring tasks with little or no time for rest. Neither of these realities are a complete picture of life unless it is connected to the other. That was the part the disciples were having difficulty grasping.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Conclusion:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And so it is with the weariness we name in our lives. Yes, there are stresses that tire us out. There are also the moments of pure joy like holding one\u2019s first grandchild the first time. Together these form the reality of life. Finding rest for our weary souls is about striking a balance in life and setting priorities that reflect our Christian values. In this place we will find rest. Finally, true rest \u2013 life sustaining rest is found in God, as celebrated by Christians in Jesus and revealed in the gathered community of God\u2019s people today. Amen!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u00a0 That\u2019s the Life? June 29, 2008 David Brubacher Text: Ephesians 2:11-22 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Introduction:\u00a0\u00a0 With this being a long weekend I image people sitting at their campsites, cottages or decks saying, \u201cAh, this is the life.\u201d Even Jesus had encouraged his disciples to take a well deserved break after a busy stretch of ministry. 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