Going for a lie-in

Norah Summers July 24, 2024 5 5

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Exodus 16: 21-30 (GNT)

21 Every morning each one gathered as much as he needed; and when the sun grew hot, what was left on the ground melted.

22 On the sixth day they gathered twice as much food, four quarts for each person. All the leaders of the community came and told Moses about it, 23 and he said to them, “The Lord has commanded that tomorrow is a holy day of rest, dedicated to him. Bake today what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Whatever is left should be put aside and kept for tomorrow.” 24 As Moses had commanded, they kept what was left until the next day; it did not spoil or get worms in it. 25 Moses said, “Eat this today, because today is the Sabbath, a day of rest dedicated to the Lord, and you will not find any food outside the camp. 26 You must gather food for six days, but on the seventh day, the day of rest, there will be none.”

27 On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather food, but they did not find any. 28 Then the Lord said to Moses, “How much longer will you people refuse to obey my commands? 29 Remember that I, the Lord, have given you a day of rest, and that is why on the sixth day I will always give you enough food for two days. Everyone is to stay where he is on the seventh day and not leave his home.” 30 So the people did no work on the seventh day.

A day of rest.

We are not very good at this nowadays.

Time was when Sunday was a long day, with a long Church service (or two!) and not much else.

Time to switch off, to relax.

Time to pause and consider.

Time to refresh body, mind and soul.

In our perverse human way, we began to think of this as restrictive –

so much not allowed, not available.

So the shops opened, all sorts of sports events took place.

Sundays became like any other day – not at work, for most people, but full of activity.

This year there are commemorations in honour of the legendary athlete Eric Liddell.

Competing in the 1924 Paris Olympics, he famously refused to run his heats on a Sunday, disqualifying himself from his preferred 100m race. Several days later he ran in the 400m, winning gold.

No gold medals for the Israelites, but manna enough for two days.

And a day of rest.

Enough is as good as a feast.

Prayer:

God of the journey,

slow us down!

We are not competing in the Olympics,

just working through the daily darg.

We have forgotten how to pace ourselves.

We cram our diaries with appointments, events, meetings, rushing on to the next —

where are you?

You give us enough for the day –

give us grace to slow down,

to make time for you, and be content. AMEN