Issue 047
Do you know how to stop? Do you know when to
stop? The UK and the US are hallmarked by a long-hours
work culture. Many employees report that they
are under pressure to start early, finish late and allow
work to eat into other parts of their lives. Prolonged
stress and pressure is leading to burnout, health
problems and increased levels of absenteeism.
David knew that a good shepherd would care for his
sheep by enabling them to rest. He describes the Divine
Shepherd as one who brings his sheep into green
pastures and beside quiet waters. There are differences
between these two images: the first involves being made to lie down; our Shepherd-Lord commands us to rest and has built
into us the need to rest. We ignore this at our peril.
One rather bleak piece of graffiti reads “death is nature’s
way of telling you to slow down”. If you put your work
life into the hands of the Shepherd there will be times
when he makes you stop and recuperate. These times
are to be welcomed, not resented, because he is a
Good Shepherd.
The second image suggests times when he leads you beside
quiet waters, where there is a change of pace or
scenery. It may still involve activity but in a calmer
environment.
If we are to learn the lessons of rest then we will need
to co-operate with his strategy both of stopping us altogether, and of changing our scenery and activity. But this
is not just for obvious breaks such as holidays;
maybe several times a day he will want to make you
stop and lie down in green pastures;maybe every week
he will want to lead you beside quiet waters. In a
culture which wants you to lose your soul in order to
gain the world, the Good Shepherd wants to restore
your soul. Without rest, work is soul destroying. This
week let the Shepherd make you lie down in green
pastures and lead you beside quiet waters. Don’t panic
if you don’t know how to find these places, that’s the
Shepherd’s job. As the chorus of voices call you to
work, listen carefully and you will also hear the Shepherd.
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever
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Work well
Geoff Shattock
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