Menuha - Rest

Menuha is the Hebrew word for rest. Having just enjoyed 3 weeks rest it is a little daunting to consider what now needs to be done having had our team ministry set out the directions for each of our ministries in relation to the mission direction of the Highgate. In truth I am excited, but am reminded that Menuha rhythms are fundamental to the 'rule', the 'disciplnes' I have set out for my ministry role. So it is good to have rested well, but timely to find that this Sunday we're in Mark 1 v29-39.

33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 And he cured
many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would
not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35 In the morning,
while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and his companions hunted for him.
37 When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you."
38 He answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may
proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." 39 And
he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and
casting out demons.

Amidst the demands of DOING JEsus gets up early and goes to a wild, quiet, solitary place and prays. Amidst pressures to perform, the demands to DO, produce and accumulate, he cannot be found for a while. They scream at him where have you been, a sense of people need you, and perhaps more we can see the mission taking off, stuff happening and 'business growing'! Yet Jesus rhythm is that the work is only a consequence of the rest/menuha. Therein lies the worth and security we need for the tasks ahead as individuals and as a church.

It bothers me, even frightens me at times, that that the church is 'restless' faced with the demands it faces. In particular in mission. Mention the word and instantly it's all about DOING, when the priority is rest - wholesome and prayer-filled, that leads to prayerful action.

So we shall hear the story, wrestle with it together and come 'beside the still waters (waters of menuhot)

'O, LOrd, you have made us, and our spirits are restless until we rest in you.' St Augustine

Then its up and out and into the streets!
Good to be back.