We’ve had some pretty unusual weather down here in the South-western tip of Ontario this winter. Snow has been a rare sight because the temperatures has been rather high compared to what we normally expect. The result of this warmth is ground that is soggy rather than frozen. Where normally our lawns would be a solid lump of brown they are a muddy mass of green. For those of us that are not winter’s most ardent fans, this is something to relish. Not seeing one’s breath or having one’s hands freeze is a good thing for we summer loving folks. For the fruit farmer, things are not so good.
Fruit farmers need the ground to freeze so that the seeds in the ground and the trees can go through their proper dormant cycle. The plants must have a time of extreme cold so that they can do whatever biochemical wonders they do in order to prepare for the spring. I’m not sure what happens if the plants or seeds don’t go dormant; all I know is that like so many of us, they too need their rest. We humans don’t necessarily hibernate during the winter; fruit trees do and they need the ground to freeze for it to happen.
Strangely enough, even when we sleep or seeds lie dormant, stuff happens. Our bodies repair themselves. Seeds prepare for the spring. To lie dormant is not to be lazy; it is a natural part of the routine and cycle of life. Without sleep or proper rest we humans would suffer and perhaps even die. Without going dormant seeds will not germinate properly.
Since rest is such a vital part of us you won’t be too surprised to learn (or to be reminded) that it is a God ordained thing. Very early on in the creation story God rests after the six days it took for everything in the universe (as well as the universe itself) to be created. The six days of work followed by one day off is the pattern God set for humanity as well. Once a week we are ordered to take a rest and refrain from all work. God knows we need it.
The pattern of rest and recuperation goes further, however. Farmers are instructed to leave the land alone every seven years, allowing it to do its own thing rather than planting and harvesting deliberately. Even in matters of finances (oh oh, he’s talking about money…) debts are to be forgiven and slaves released after a certain period. Lying dormant isn’t just a good thing, it seems; it’s an order!
Why is it then, that we prize being busy so highly? A life full of appointments and to-do lists is not necessarily a good life. In fact, when we’re too busy and don’t rest enough our bodies suffer as do our souls. We need time for our bodies to heal and rebuild. We need time to reflect on our lives and make sense of what’s happening. We need time to rest. It is a holy thing. It is a God-ordained thing. God rested on the seventh day and it was good. Time for me to take a break now. How about you?
Fruit farmers need the ground to freeze so that the seeds in the ground and the trees can go through their proper dormant cycle. The plants must have a time of extreme cold so that they can do whatever biochemical wonders they do in order to prepare for the spring. I’m not sure what happens if the plants or seeds don’t go dormant; all I know is that like so many of us, they too need their rest. We humans don’t necessarily hibernate during the winter; fruit trees do and they need the ground to freeze for it to happen.
Strangely enough, even when we sleep or seeds lie dormant, stuff happens. Our bodies repair themselves. Seeds prepare for the spring. To lie dormant is not to be lazy; it is a natural part of the routine and cycle of life. Without sleep or proper rest we humans would suffer and perhaps even die. Without going dormant seeds will not germinate properly.
Since rest is such a vital part of us you won’t be too surprised to learn (or to be reminded) that it is a God ordained thing. Very early on in the creation story God rests after the six days it took for everything in the universe (as well as the universe itself) to be created. The six days of work followed by one day off is the pattern God set for humanity as well. Once a week we are ordered to take a rest and refrain from all work. God knows we need it.
The pattern of rest and recuperation goes further, however. Farmers are instructed to leave the land alone every seven years, allowing it to do its own thing rather than planting and harvesting deliberately. Even in matters of finances (oh oh, he’s talking about money…) debts are to be forgiven and slaves released after a certain period. Lying dormant isn’t just a good thing, it seems; it’s an order!
Why is it then, that we prize being busy so highly? A life full of appointments and to-do lists is not necessarily a good life. In fact, when we’re too busy and don’t rest enough our bodies suffer as do our souls. We need time for our bodies to heal and rebuild. We need time to reflect on our lives and make sense of what’s happening. We need time to rest. It is a holy thing. It is a God-ordained thing. God rested on the seventh day and it was good. Time for me to take a break now. How about you?
No comments:
Post a Comment