Originally printed in the Early Pentecost 2022 edition of our paper newsletter, The Bellringer.
For a good while, I kept seeing the expression “The Great Resignation” to describe the phenomenon of increased professional turnover during the pandemic. More recently, I have started seeing the expression “The Great Exhaustion.” Some are suggesting that a deep, wide-spread exhaustion is an underlying issue in those resignations, but they are also saying that this exhaustion affects workers who are staying in their jobs, and it applies to civic organizations, community groups, churches, and our personal lives as well. After two plus years of pandemic, people are exhausted. Sustained anxiety takes its toll. I have seen numerous polls in the last year showing that a majority of Americans are tired or worn out. In my conversations with parishioners, I hear and see this exhaustion.
“Come unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you,” Jesus says. These words remind us that Jesus cares about our well-being. Jesus desires us to be refreshed, not worn down. These words start a section in which Jesus focuses on nourishment and healing. Rest and refreshment are necessary to life and faith. God put rest and refreshment into the created order by creating the sabbath day. Scripture emphasizes and extends the weekly sabbath by talking about a special sabbath year every seven years, and an extra special sabbath every seven cycles of those seven years in something called the Year of Jubilee. Extra burdens were removed during these times, giving the people and land a chance to rest, reset, and refresh. All of the sabbaths are designed for creation to flourish.
If you are feeling exhausted, I will not pretend to know exactly what you specifically need to do to find that rest. Maybe it is a nap. Jesus sure did love his naps! Remember that time in the boat? But I suspect something more is needed. Jesus talks about coming to him, resting in him, allowing him to help carry the burden. There is a beautiful prayer on page 832 of The Book of Common Prayer that might help you as you seek your needed rest: “O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Bingham+
