Nothing much for this time of evening. It’s another blessed Sabbath evening. Most of the family are asleep and I’ll be heading that way in the not too distant future.
I was considering thought what it is about the Sabbath as a communal celebration that should make it something to eagerly await and embrace. I’m at the place now where it’s not so much the getting dressed up to spend 8 hours in each others’ company possibly in a poorly conditioned and laid out venue. I can still do that if required, but I’m more than alright with thinking that this is definitely not the heart of enjoying communal celebration of the Sabbath.
Then I got thinking about the pub. Yep, that den of iniquity which I was told in no uncertain terms when I was a lot younger that this place was to be avoided like the plague. I’m fairly certain now that the reasoning behind the prohibition was somewhat more about ignorance than enlightenment. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not totally the other way now and think the pub has to be the new church, now. I am suggesting though that for those who don’t do church (and for some who do) the pub is more church than church and it’s obvious to see why.
That scenario that I painted earlier has little to no opportunity for definite inter-relational development. It’s highly structured style and format looks to edify people almost in a strait-jacketed fashion. Hey it works for some people … and by works, I mean it doesn’t work but it’s all we’ve known and like the song ‘Give Me That Old Time Religion’ exhorts, it was good for all the apostles it’s good enough for me. (Even if it wasn’t actually how the apostles celebrated the Sabbath, but little things like the truth and research has never got in the way of well established traditions being treated as dogma.)
As I said, I’m not promoting the pub model for church … necessarily … I am saying something about that glorious time together that we share on that day has to be about relaxing (is it alright to relax on the holy Sabbath day?) and relating in a manner bringing glory to God and refreshment to our bones. Now if that argument is that we do that during break and dinner, then why faff about with everything else, why not cut all that time to what we do around the meal and effectively use the rest of the time?
As I the subject says, just some reflections – nothing too serious … kinda.
Just wondering. That is all.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
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