J. Vernon McGee was asked what his favorite Bible verse was.  He responded with “and it came to pass.”  He explained, “It did not come to stay, it came to pass.  All those times in my life when things were bad – they came to pass.  They would not stay forever.  Eventually good times would come to replace the bad.  Unfortunately, all those good times in my life….”

Right now most of us are experiencing that time of the year where not much is going on.  We have survived the excitement of the holidays, and there just isn’t much happening right now.  I have noticed however, a trend; people are beginning to put some things off until January.  Parties, get-togethers, etc. are being delayed for after the holidays.  If we are not careful, we are going to extend the business of the season, instead of getting relief from it.  I am not suggesting that rescheduling some events normally observed during the holidays should not be moved or postponed, or that this time of year is somehow sacred and should remain “quiet.”I am saying that there are times when we need to slow down and really rest.  God did it – not because He needed  to, but as an example to us, and He even put it into His Commandments:

Exodus 20:8 (ESV) ⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Now, the idea of “holy” brings to mind all sorts of images; the idea of it being “sanctified,” or perfect. These are legitimate expressions of the word, but there is another idea.  The word holy can also mean to separate, or keep separate.  Certainly the Pharisees had their idea of what the Sabbath was supposed to be.  It was one of the continual arguments they had with Jesus.  But Jesus had another idea:

Mark 2:25-28 (ESV) ²⁵ And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: ²⁶ how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” ²⁷ And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. ²⁸ So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”  (emphasis is mine).

Our Creator recognizes we need to slow down and rest – we need to listen to Him.  Find some time to slow down, relax and enjoy doing nothing.  Remember; “it came to pass.”  Enjoy it while it’s here.