God's
intent for the Sabbath was our restoration. Complete the following
sentences:
a.
I find physical rest/recuperation when I __________________________.
b.
I find mental rest/recuperation when I ___________________________.
c.
I find emotional rest/recuperation when I ________________________.
d.
I found spiritual rest/recuperation when I ________________________.
(Serendipity
Bible 10th Anniversary Edition,
page 1395).
Some
exploratory questions I would ask regarding the physical aspect: do
you feel tired, exhausted, suffering from fatigue and persistent
aches and pains?
Questions
regarding the mental aspect: do you feel disinterested in life, not
stimulated intellectually, having a diminished curiosity accompanied
by an inability to focus?
Questions
regarding the emotional: do you feel estranged from your feelings;
are you feeling emotionally exhausted, drained, or inert?
Questions
regarding the spiritual: do you feel spiritually spent—that you
have given your best days pursuing unworthy goals—things without
lasting meaning but instead fixated on narrow and transient selfish
interest?
Rest
and recuperation must transpire on a broad front including the
physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Sometimes stupid things
are asserted implying that mind over matter is all—just muster
brute courage and effort and pull oneself up by attitude alone.
Jesus realized the importance of physical, mental, emotional, and
spiritual health. He ministered to the sick and mentally distraught;
comforted the emotionally spent; and illumined lives spiritually
bringing faith, hope, and love.
I
work (at least for two more weeks before I retire) in the Parks and Recreation
Department of the City of Saint Petersburg. In our programs we
address all four critical areas—the ultimate goal being to bring
restoration to all participants.
