The Resting Rabbit by Cheryl Erwin, guest blogger

Written by Cheryl Erwin, guest blogger

We conclude this series of articles on “Taking Care of You” based on I Thessalonians 5:23, with a discussion of the role of the Sabbath and rest in keeping the body “sound and blameless.” What did Paul mean when he used the word “sound”?

The Expository Dictionary of Bible Words states that the word sound is based on the Greek word hygiaino. It is a verb found in twelve contexts (within the New Testament) with the sense “to be well, in good health” (i.e. sound). The term is also used adjectivally to refer to that which is trustworthy or accurate. (p.920). Our bodies, minds, and souls need rest in order to be as healthy as possible. God, our Creator rested and commands us to do likewise with the observance of the Sabbath and to keep it holy.

How many of us who are leaders in our churches and in our other worlds are Type A personalities, driven to make a difference and trying to do so in the name of perfection and endless activity? We are thinking unrealistically if we believe that we are like the Energizer bunny that can just keep going and going and going. We can learn a valuable spiritual lesson from one of God’s smallest creatures, a real rabbit.

My husband and I drove back to Kansas over the Fourth of July weekend to see family and to help my Dad finish celebrating his 86^th birthday. He is a retired farmer and has always demonstrated an astute observation of and appreciation for the ways of animals. He shared with me that one day earlier this spring, he watched a rabbit in his backyard carry grass in her mouth from near the back porch, hopping some distance to construct a nest under a bush. Back and forth, she went across the backyard, diligently working to make a home for her impending arrivals. Then to Dad’s surprise, he watched her hop under a drainpipe and lay down on her back to rest! In all of his decades of living in the country, he had never seen such a thing. Who knew that rabbits rested on their backs?

What an illustration of God’s desire for us! “There is something deeply spiritual about honoring the limitations of our existence as human beings-physical bodies in a world of time and space. Something about being gracious and accepting and gentle with ourselves at least once a week enables us to be more gracious and accepting and gentle with others. After seven days without rest, we are at risk of becoming dangerously tired.” (Barton, Sacred Rhythms, 138-139).

May we seek the Lord’s guidance as how to better observe the Sabbath and keep it holy. May we also come to realize the role of physical, emotional, and mental rest in becoming the healthy people that God desires us to be for our good and His glory.

 This article was written by Cheryl Erwin of Lexington, KY.  To see the other articles written in her series, go to the left-hand menu bar of the crosseyedliving blog–home page; scroll down to “Categories,” and click on “Health and Beauty.”  Her articles are dated April 18, July 23, July 29 and September 21.  Thanks Cheryl!

Special Note:  I have given the blog writters a writing sabatical until the first of the new year.  In the meantime, I will try to post weekly.  The regular schedule of new posts each Sunday or Monday and Thursday will resume the second week of January.  Thanks for your continued interest and support!