One of my favourite photos from Rome is a picture I took of a Roman Centurion, near the Colosseum, reading a newspaper. Adding to the relaxed atmosphere was a Gelati van in the background.
Reflecting on this photo it reminded me that some of us, either because of our background or natural disposition frown on relaxation. It is not productive, there are things to be done and we shouldn’t waste time. Some of us, especially those of us brought up under the spectre of the “Calvinist work ethic”, see relaxation as sinful, or if not sinful, certainly heading in that direction.
Is this driven lifestyle something that God wants? Is it healthy?
When reading the Psalms it strikes me that Psalmist, stopped, stood down from his business and basked in the beauty of the creation around him
“You have set your glory above the heavens” (Psalm 8:1b)
“The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1a)
“Sing to him a new song; play skilfully and shout for joy” (Psalm 33:3)
There are many, many more examples.
What they reveal is a person delighting in his relationship with God and rejoicing in the beauty and majesty of his God’s creation.
For the hard nosed, star gazing and lyre plucking are not productive activities. However, for the delighter in God, they are worship. There is a joy and celebration knowing that God has surrounded me with His creation – a creation not simply there to be productive and mined, but a creation that reveals God, His majesty and beauty.
So in your busy-ness stop and smell the flowers, or if you like, have a gelati and a read a paper. Even centurions need a break.
Travels from Ur 