Wednesday, August 5, 2026

“You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working, even during the seasons of plowing and harvest.” (Exodus 34:21, New Living Translation)

                I was reading an article this morning that lamented the loss of the tradition of the Sunday drive. It brought back a flood of memories from my childhood. I recall finding Sunday afternoons being often rather boring. Dad might stretch out on the couch and snooze as a ball game was playing on TY. But I always hoped that, instead, he would say “Let’s go for a drive.”  Perhaps he had a destination or route in mind but I didn’t care.  Away we would go, down unfamiliar roads (to me anyway), out in the country. I always trusted my father that he knew the way and would never get lost. There was no particular destination, no hurriedness, no agenda, just a pleasant drive in the countryside to see what we could see. Favourites were a ferry trip across the Bay of Quinte at Glenora. We  would have ice cream cones while we waited for the ferry.  Or perhaps it would be a stop at the Crofton dairy for some fresh cheese curds and cheese.  If my Dad wasn’t up to it, I would bug my sister and her boyfriend to take me on one of their Sunday drives.  Not usually successfully, but sometimes…

                But these days, the meandering Sunday drive is out of fashion. Gas prices are too high. Many have long car commutes to jobs. We are too tired to spend any more time in the car. Sundays are just as busy a day as any other day of the week. There are errands and shopping to attend to and doing some of the things we didn’t get done during the week. Kids need to get to baseball ball games. The automobile is just a tool to get us to the places we need to get to, faster, sooner and as quickly as possible.

                But our text reminds us that we also need time to catch our breath, cease rushing around, take in the view, enjoy  the big world in which we live and nibble on a few cheese curds along the way.  That doesn’t mean necessarily a revival of the Sunday drive, but it might mean a BBQ or a short drive to the waterfront and just sit and enjoy the scenery. Turn off our devices for an hour or so. Sit under a shade tree and read a book. Have some family time. Save our errands for Monday. Make Sunday special in some way. Do something that is different and creative. Or just maybe, do nothing at all but open a window and feel the breezes.“They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you.” (exodus 16:29)

                Mark Buchanan wrote a book entitled Spiritual Rhythms, exploring the seasons of the soul. He saw the rhythm of the summer as a time for enjoying the benefits of life. It is a time to slow down, refresh our inner souls and spirits, and enjoy the beauty and bounty around us. Although not from his book, I came across this definition of spiritual rhythms: “Spiritual rhythms refer to regular, habitual practices that nurture spiritual growth and intimacy with God. They are not rigid rules or tasks to check off but are patterns of life that integrate faith into daily living, helping believers experience God’s presence consistently and intentionally.”  Sabbath rest is a time to turn down the intensity of our lives, to cease being driven by our schedules, to open the flow of spiritual, emotional energy which stirs our hearts to gratitude, appreciation and satisfaction.  Trust God that he knows the way and won’t get us lost. “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)

It is good to take a metaphorical spiritual Sunday drive of sorts. “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8) Is your world going to fall apart if the wash doesn’t get done? Is your life going to go to pieces if your phone gets turned off for an hour or two? Is your time so precious that you don’t dare waste a minute in frivolous activity?  If so, it’s time to take a Sunday drive. Maybe literally, maybe figuratively.  But slow down, Sparky, as one of my favorite sport’s analysts likes to say. “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) “Sabbath rest”, maybe a Sunday or some other set-apart time in your week, is a time for us to gather our thoughts, our hearts, our minds and our souls for renewal and reconnection.

Go buy some cheese curds and chill out, for heaven’s sake!

Prayer:

Our loving God, help slow us down when we feel overcome with schedules and busyness. Remind us that our lives are more than profits and achievements and successes.  Lead us to still waters. Restore our souls. Refresh us with your Grace and the beauty of your Creation.  May we find our rest in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.