Selfishness, hatred, and pride are all rampant on this side of Eden. Since sin entered the world there are many things not as they should be. And we don’t have to look far to see and to experience the brokenness of this fallen world. But God reminds us he’s still working to set all things right.
The Sabbath was an opportunity for the Children of Israel to pause and remember God was still at work providing for them even when they were at rest. This was not laziness, as they had to work for six days before taking a day of rest, and for six years before taking a Sabbatical year of rest. And every 50 years was a Year of Jubilee – a time for things to be redeemed and restored as they should be.
This serves as a reminder for us still today.
To be sure, we have our work to do. We’ve been called to use our strength to make our homes, families, and communities more humane, just, and beautiful. We’re not to sit on the sidelines while evil takes advantage of those around us. It’s our duty to advance God’s kingdom of light everywhere we go.
At the same time, we don’t have to worry and fret about doing it all. As with the Sabbath, God is still at work even when we’re not. And it’s good to regularly pause and remember this – keeping our eyes fixed on him rather than merely trusting our own human efforts to bring about the good we so desperately need.
In the end, this world is full of brokenness and we’ve been called to partner with God in his work of redemption. And we remember the ultimate Day of Jubilee is God’s doing and not ours. Keep your eyes on him and not your own human efforts.
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