i have all the answers - theologically - why we need to observe the sabbath, the good it would do for us, the benefits of expressing the sabbath by congregating at a church to listen to a sermon. but since i got to melbourne, attending a church regularly has been a challenge for me. i used to attend st jude's uni church on sunday evenings, but as winter crept in, as the days got shorts and as the nights got colder, walking to elgin street was dreary. sometimes i would check out life expedition, but their ra-ra-ness is not quite my cup of tea.
i spent the cold, wet and dreary afternoon watching schindler's list and its accompanying documentary on dvd. what really moved me was how schindler allowed his jews at brinnlitz to observe the sabbath. the expression of their faith was banned pretty much along with their existence, and after such persecution, being allowed to put down their work and gather without fear as God's people to observe the sabbath was such a blessing.
the sabbath is not just about what-i-can-get-out-of-it. did i feel ministered to? was the sermon powerful? did worship uplift me? an entertaining and engaging preacher is secondary. being able to practice your faith freely is the affirmation of your identity and rights a person and collectively as believers in christ. making the numbers in the congregation is in fact being a witness to the rest of the world that your faith has something worth to keep coming back to church for.
while schindler's jews relished in finally being able to observe the sabbath with humble ceremony and reverence, who am i to begrudge the damp weather and a 20 minute walk when i am blessed with all that i need?
no prizes in guessing where i'll be this evening.
update: moments after i entered st jude's, a familiar face came up to me. it happens that insa, a german girl from my ISOP tasmania trip has been attending st jude's since april. her group of friends have unfortunately all returned to the US. she was very glad to have met a friend at st jude's as well.
i spent the cold, wet and dreary afternoon watching schindler's list and its accompanying documentary on dvd. what really moved me was how schindler allowed his jews at brinnlitz to observe the sabbath. the expression of their faith was banned pretty much along with their existence, and after such persecution, being allowed to put down their work and gather without fear as God's people to observe the sabbath was such a blessing.
the sabbath is not just about what-i-can-get-out-of-it. did i feel ministered to? was the sermon powerful? did worship uplift me? an entertaining and engaging preacher is secondary. being able to practice your faith freely is the affirmation of your identity and rights a person and collectively as believers in christ. making the numbers in the congregation is in fact being a witness to the rest of the world that your faith has something worth to keep coming back to church for.
while schindler's jews relished in finally being able to observe the sabbath with humble ceremony and reverence, who am i to begrudge the damp weather and a 20 minute walk when i am blessed with all that i need?
no prizes in guessing where i'll be this evening.
update: moments after i entered st jude's, a familiar face came up to me. it happens that insa, a german girl from my ISOP tasmania trip has been attending st jude's since april. her group of friends have unfortunately all returned to the US. she was very glad to have met a friend at st jude's as well.
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