Thought for the Day I pose this question to you today. How many of you will be taking a holiday this year? Peoples’ response will vary from “No I have cancelled it” to “Staying at home, due to the way things are”. Holiday comes from the word Holy Day meaning a break from normal day to day, to concentrate on a day of religious significance, for example, Good Friday, Christmas Day. Over the years it has become an opportunity to relax and recharge before returning to the normal routine. Everyone should be taking some time out, it’s not about going away, it could be going on a different walk each day somewhere, doing something different from the norm. Perhaps spending a bit of time with family or a friend. Although we are made in the image of God, we are human-beings and we need rest. In the Gospels, we read Jesus takes time to rest, tries to get away, time to pray, time to gather thoughts, so if that’s what Jesus did, why don’t we?The last few months have been testing times for everyone, the like we have never seen before and the near future is going to be a challenging time, so taking time for ourselves is essential, reading a book that we have been meaning to for some time, spend time looking after ourselves, not only physically but for our own mental wellbeing also. Taking time with our own spiritual wellbeing, time spent with God is an investment. Recharging ourselves spiritually is a must if we are going to face up to the challenges of the future, because in Christ we find refreshment, nourishment and peace, a perfect rest. The words which we find in St Matthew’s Gospel which we also use in our Book of Common Prayer “Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest”, reminds us that all the burdens and worries we gather and the pressure that modern life puts on us, an opportunity to can find our true refreshment in the words that Jesus offers. Jesus’ ministry took place in a country that was hot and where the most common way to travel was on foot, Jesus knew what it was like for the need to seek rest. So, my message today is look after yourselves, take time out, not only will you feel better for it, but will face the future refreshed. God bless you all.Gary
