When done as a “want to” rather than a “have to”, [the Daily office and Sabbath] offer us a rhythm for our lives that binds us to the living God.
The Inadequacy of Our Present Ropes
Pastor Scazzero doesn’t refer to “wordly ropes” as inadequate. He is arguing that the typical Christian approach — morning quiet time and weekly small group — are not enough to keep our attention to God throughout the entire day.
The Central Elements of the Daily Office
I have a lot of flexibility how the Daily Office is implemented in my life.
The key, remember, is regular remembrance of God, not length
I can try out St. Ignatius Loyola’s Prayer of Examen:
- Ask the Holy Spirit to guide me through the events of my day
- When was I aware of God’s presence?
- How have I felt I was moving towards God?
- How did I feel when I was open and responsive to God’s guidance?
- Give thanks to God for those events
- Ask for grace to be more aware of God’s presence.
Scazzero argues there are four core elements to the Daily Office.
1. Stopping
Unhurried. God rules, I don’t. Sink deeply. God will run the world without me ;)
2. Centering
Be still and know that I am God Psalm 46:10
Ask for the Holy Spirit to center me.
3. Silence
Pastor Scazzero does not mention this particularly, but I believe I should try not listening to music for some Daily Offices.
God speaks in the silence, as seen by Elijah in 1 Kings.
4. Scripture
Lectio Divina! One of my favorite practices.
Be attentive in your heart to what God is doing inside of you. Learn from others. Remember: we go through seasons. And most important, let God be your guide.
God’s Command for Rhythm in our Lives
Sabbath is not primarily about us or how it benefits us; it is about God and how God forms us… I don’t see any way out of it; if we are going to live appropriately in the creation we must keep Sabbath
I recall P Tina’s sermon on having rhythm in our lives. Not balance, but rhythm. It is probably one of the sermons I recall most often. Through the business and changing seasons, I must adjust and have times to rest — though those appointments may change — in order to live a Christ-centered life and not burn out or become jaded.
As a working young-adult, I find it hard not to give into work. But also as a young adult, I think it should be easy for me to become free from work. I am still young, my passions still feel fresh, including my passion for Christ. Absolutely, I should fight against the temptation to succumb to the natural schedule of being a young software engineer in the Bay Area.
The Four Principles of Biblical Sabbath
1. Stop
Embracing my limits is key to be able to just stop despite goals or pressures. Trust that God will take care of everything.
Ultimately we will die with countless unfinished projects and goals. That’s okay. God is at work taking care of the Universe. He manages quite well without us having to run things.
2. Rest
I can do whatever delights and replenishes me. Like right now, I was reading this book on Caltrain and now am writing these notes at SFO. I like planes and trains 🙂.
The “drawback” is that I need to reallocate a day for doing things that drain me of energy. Planning, catching up with work, or even meeting certain people. Maybe not laundry though, I don’t mind laundry all that much 🙂.
3. Delight
In the things I like to do, slow down and take time to enjoy it; that this is a thing which God has given me.
Creation and life are, in a sense, God’s gift of a playground to us.
4. Contemplate
What will it mean to prepare yourself for worship, to receive the Word of God?
Pondering the love of God remains the central focus of our sabbaths.
Whatever I do the day before my Sabbath, I should keep in mind to prepare for the Sabbath. That way, the Sabbath can be purposeful and protected.
Gripping the Rope during Our Blizzards
To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything, is to succumb to violence… It kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful. Thomas Merton