In the rush and pressure of our busy lives, most of us have forgotten what enough of anything feels like. How do we know we have done enough work, made enough money, done enough for others or gotten enough done on our to-do list? A thermostat senses when our home is sufficiently warm or cool, then sends a message to power down to resting mode. But what about our inner thermostat - the quiet voice that tells us we have done what we could or given what we were able? What if this inner knowing has been silenced?

With these words, Wayne Muller (author, therapist, minister and founder of Bread for the Journey) challenges us in his most recent article for The Lutheran magazine to recognize the importance of "Sabbath" rest in order to live into what it means to be God's people in the world. With both spiritual and worldly insight, Muller shares the reality of life that all too many of us experience daily. He says:

We have built our lives on a ridiculous belief that if we move faster, work longer and harder (with the help of all our astonishingly swift and convenient technologies), and fix everything broken or complete every project, then we can finally say, "That is enough. Now I can rest." But this foolish, impossible moment never arrives, and without permission from our culture, workplace - or sadly, even our church - how can we know it is [something we should strive for]?

If this is true, and I believe that it is, then how can we within the church stop contributing to our current cultural headlong rush toward "burnout" and instead offer a way of life that is more in-tune with God's holistic vision for creation? Muller agrees and points out that:

Nowhere in Scripture do we find texts that insist God wants us to be exhausted, overwhelmed or discouraged. Instead, there are countless verses about having an abundant life - well rested, well nourished and joyful... As beloved children of the Creator who wants us to live in joy, we are forced to refocus the essential underpinnings of our life and work.

Rather than be plagued by "Have I done enough?" the question we must begin with - "What is most precious to you?" Is it your work? Your position in the world? Your financial security? Perhaps. But as a hospice chaplain, rarely have I heard the dying say they wish they had spent more time on these things. Instead, they wonder: Have I loved well? Did I care as deeply as I was able for my children and did they know how fiercely I loved them? Did I tell my friends who lifted me up when I was falling into despair how grateful I am?... Many wonder if they are leaving the world, in some small way, a better place because of how they lived. They ask: Have I left anything behind that is beautiful, good or useful for others? Have I been kind?... some wonder whether they took advantage of the opportunity to enjoy their life, to drink deep from the gifts and blessings that were showered upon them. Or were they in too much of a hurry, too busy to notice, celebrate and give thanks for the warm sun on their cheek, the smell of the earth after a summer rain, the playful laughter of children, the delicious touch of their beloved partner? The thread running through all these tender, reflective thoughts is time. Everything precious, beautiful and sacred needs time. Every value we claim to hold dear to our hearts - love, friendship, compassion, faith, peace - grows only in the rich, slow soil of unhurried time.

I wonder, as we head into another church year and another busy autumn season, if we can find some of this "Sabbath Time" that Muller points out our scriptures say is so important for our lives? If we could somehow carve out just a little time to simply rest, and to listen for God's "small still voice", we might come to find that in and through God's grace, we do indeed have enough - enough to be - enough to do - enough to give - and enough to live as Christians in the world. I hope and pray that you are able to find some time for rest this Autumn and that in being rested, you come to see how blessed you are - and what a blessing you can be!