Thank God It's Sunday?
Mark Greene reviews Life Balance by Robert Warren and
Sue
Mayfield, a five-session course on rest, work and play.
"Six days thou shalt work and on the seventh day...?"
Well, on the seventh day, what precisely shalt thou do? We know we're meant to do something different - something that doesn't feel like work, and demonstrates our trust in God's provision; something that refreshes and restores. We know we need something that helps us consciously re-connect to him, allowing us to see his hand in the week that's past, and to trust for his hand in the week to come. But what precisely? What might turn the seventh day into the refreshing celebration that it is intended to be?
In this series of five group studies, promoted for Lent groups but usable throughout the year, Robert Warren and Sue Mayfield explore the biblical purposes of Sabbath, and provide ways for participants to explore how we can do Sabbath in today's world. They spread out a rich and varied feast of biblical insight and helpful discussion questions. Included are a range of practical exercises, fresh prayers, game ideas, relevant film clips, appropriate music. As such, it's an attempt to connect to every aspect of our humanity. Importantly, they understand that Sabbath is both a gift given to us, and a gift we give to others, including those who rarely get a rest - relatives caring for the sick or the disabled, single parents, and so on. Sabbath, then, is not just a time to pause, to rest, to celebrate and to play, but also a time to liberate others into Sabbath. That may mean moving beyond our own families and communities into the wider world. On occasion, the authors' view of people's work experience is overly negative. Still, in a frantic and driven culture, few studies will prove better at helping reorder our time, refocus our priorities, and refresh our spirits. Highly recommended.
Life Balance is published in paperback format (69 pages) by CHP and is available from LICC for £3.99, plus postage and packaging.
Mark Greene
Comments
There are currently no comments for this article.
