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At the end of August my family and I took a quick get-away to Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, IL. One of the rides we went on was Maxx Force, a launch coaster. If you aren’t familiar with roller coaster terminology, a launch coaster is a ride that eschews the usual long, uphill ride most coasters sport in favor of blasting you from a standstill to about 78 miles per hour in just two seconds. One moment you’re sitting there alit with anticipation, and the next you’re speeding through the air flipping upside down and wondering why you actively chose to do this.
In many ways, this past month of September, with all of its new beginnings, can feel a bit like a launch coaster. You know it’s coming. You can even prepare for all of the chaos you know awaits you. But then – ZOOM – we all just kind of get launched into everything all at once. For parents, it’s the start of school, after-school activities, Sunday School, confirmation, so much paperwork, and making sure homework gets done and everyone gets to bed at a reasonable hour. For church leaders, it’s the beginning of the program year, getting ready to lead those Sunday School and confirmation classes, inviting volunteers to participate in everything from council to choir to signing up to be on the snow shovel squad later in the year, to already planning Advent and Lent.
It's exhilarating and exhausting all at the same time. And, unlike Maxx Force, which lasts all of 22 seconds (my son and I timed it during our very long wait), this ride continues at this wild speed and pace all. Year. Long.
Which means, beloved siblings in faith, pausing to take a breath, to rest, is vital. Ministry often feels like sprinting from one thing to the next – even when everything is planned out well in advance. While it is ill-advised and against the rules to attempt to jump off of a roller coaster mid-flight, thankfully, we do have the ability to step back from the chaos and catch our collective breath. Sabbath rest isn’t a luxury or an add-on – it’s something God commands us to do out of love and concern for us and for our world.
As you navigate your fall schedule and plans for the future, may you also find moments to rest – to bask in the goodness of God’s grace for you and for the people among whom you serve. You are worthy of this work, and, beloveds, you are also worthy of rest.
In Christ,
The Rev. Jen Christenson
Associate to the Bishop for Candidacy and Community
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