“Six days you shall work. And on the seventh day, rest.”
“Because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, Jesus said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’”
Divert Daily. Withdraw Weekly. Meander Monthly. Abandon Annually.
That’s been my “sabbath” motto for many years. I have long been sharing this advice with pastors and people from all walks of life. Sometimes, I need to remind myself.
We need it, you know. We were made to work…and rest. And reflect. And rejuvenate. Sue and I have just returned from a time away with family and sun and rest.
For your reading accompaniment
In observance of summertime and its soon ending, here is a selection from “Summer” of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.
While I was away…
Coldplay Kiss-Cam
By now we’ve all heard about the scandal inadvertently revealed by the “kiss-cam” at a Coldplay concert on July 14. The couple caught cuddling on the jumbotron were Andy Byron, CEO of a company called Astronomer, and his HR director Kristin Cabot. They went from being blissfully joyous to shamefully hiding in nanoseconds. Lead singer Chris Martin astutely commented as they quickly ducked for cover, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”
Their public indiscretion went viral as many piled on and made sport of the adulterous couple. I did too. But I got to thinking a bit more about the entire affair (pun somewhat intended). There are better, more nuanced and gracious ways to respond. Responses that are more biblical, more Christian, and more Christ-like than simply telling merciless jokes that display an unkind spirit.
So, if I may, here are several lessons that I’ve derived from the Coldplay kiss-cam embarrassment:
“Be sure your sins will find you out.” I admit, these words from The Book of Numbers were the first thing that came to my mind when I saw the video. Clearly the warning of hidden or unconfessed sins and their consequences is hauntingly true and fitting here. And it applies as much to me (and you) as it did to the two (former) employees of Astronomer.
“Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone.” These convicting words attributed to Jesus from John 8 are aimed at self-righteous religious leaders who were quick to judge and call for the punishment of the woman caught in adultery. One by one, all the accusers slithered away.
“You shall not commit adultery.” So warns the Seventh Commandment. For so many reasons. The painful effects ripple on and on and on. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife” (Commandment no. 10). Or covet your coworker or that online person or… Let’s not forget that Jesus equated lusting after someone with committing adultery. (You can put down that stone now.)
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” What if that were a family member? Or a good friend? Or you, or me? What if all the jokes and viral videos hit very close to home? Kindness, sympathy, a wee bit of compassion could go a long way. Maybe prayers for the spouses who were watching their cheating mates. How about their kids and families? I certainly would not want the cynical, ogling world celebrating my moral downfall.
Gambling Guardians
Not one but two pitchers of the Cleveland Guardians have been suspended by Major League Baseball for their suspected participation in gambling. All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase and starter Luis Ortiz are both accused of deliberately throwing balls (as opposed to strikes) as part of a gambling line. (Yes, you can even gamble on individual pitches as well as the outcome of games. Ohio Governor DeWine is proposing a ban on such micro-bets.)
Here are some observations: One wonders why a seven-figure salary is not enough to live on. It speaks of the allurement of this vice and of the fallenness of man. (To be fair, Ortiz is “only” making $746,000 this season.)
Consider the hypocrisy of Major League Baseball (and all sports leagues) for allowing and reaping the financial benefits of organized gambling. One cannot watch a sporting event on TV without being subject to incessant ads by FanDuel, bet365, or other “legitimate” online gambling sites. Bet365 is a “partner” with the Cleveland Guardians. Read that again. Now read this statement by bet365: “Everyone at bet365 is thrilled to partner with the Guards, as we launch the world’s favorite online sports betting brand in Ohio. The Guardians’ rich history is deep-rooted in the Cleveland community, and we’re excited to become part of their exciting future.”
Maybe the 1919 Chicago Black Sox are owed an apology. Seems like Pete Rose might deserve one, too.
And check out this apparent move by the Guardians to cover up their duplicity. The team removed the sports betting option from their social media.
Several biblical warnings come to mind. The Apostle Paul’s words to young Timothy are firmly clear: But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (1 Timothy 6:9–10).
A favorite verse of my former pastor Dave Burnham was “…bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). I may be wrong, but the “company” of gambling establishments are…well, let’s just say their reputation precedes them.
One wonders the odds of Clase and Ortiz getting lifetime suspensions. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)
Speaking of Dave Burnham
My former pastor and 40-some-year mentor passed away last week. Dave was 91 years old. His life and ministry directly impacted pastors all over the world. You know me as a pastor because I knew Dave as a mentor and friend.
In 1934 Dave’s father planted The Chapel in Akron, from which I also planted a church in 1991 (Riverwood Community Chapel in Kent). Years later, I would occupy The Chapel’s Senior Pastor office of my mentor.
When I was a college student, Dave used tennis to encourage me and point me toward full-time ministry. His coaching and encouragement never stopped. Even in these last days, Dave would listen weekly to my sermons online always with a kind word and a critique now and then. 😊
Ever the evangelist, Dave is now in the presence of his Savior to whom he introduced so many people. I will miss him.
Final musings as we head for home
I’m on a lifelong search for the Perfect Pizza. The recent proliferation of legit Italian wood-burning ovens has made the quest even more enjoyable. I must say northeast Ohio has her fair share of decent pizza joints. I will continue my search in India this October.
I’ve been daily watching men fishing, waist-deep in the Gulf. They’ve got their bait buckets, they throw out their lines, they stand for hours under the blazing sun, and they never catch anything! Sort of reminds me of contemporary evangelism in the American Church.
Been playing tennis every morning at 8:00am to beat the heat. I started playing the game when I was 9 or 10 years old. Not being able to do things quite at the level I used to in my younger days is a bit disheartening.
Every evening, Sue and I have been treated to a magnificent sunset over the Gulf. The providence of God and the divinely ordained beautiful atmospheric conditions provided a canvas of colors begging to be photographed.
Lord of Rest,
As the sun sets and Sabbath begins,
I lay down my work and my worries.
Teach me to rest in Your goodness,
to delight in Your presence,
and to remember that I am Yours.
Let this Sabbath be holy,
a gift of peace for my soul.
Amen.