`49° 0' 56" N by 122° 47' 36" W <http://maps.google.com/maps?q=49.015669N122.793519W&t=h>`__
I cannot survive without Sabbaths. It's a claim in the Bible, it's an observed fact, and it's the cry of my heart.
This year as a whole, I've been perpetually barely nose-above-water, and once midterms hit, the all-nighters to finish marking homeworks and exams really took a toll. Last night SCAC had a wonderful "FAT" (Family Activity Time) at the gym, and we had a lot of fun playing badminton, but there were times I was so tired I got a bit dizzy; just couldn't think straight.
But today I did get a real Sabbath, a chance to rest in Jesus, to let the wind carry away all the voices and to-do lists, controversies and politics, and wait upon the Lord. I got a good night's sleep, had a good lunch, and drove out here to the waterfront and beach at White Rock. In the summertime it's quite a tourist spot, and even in the chill wind and patchy clouds of this brisk March day, there are still quite a lot of people out on the waterfront walkway. I venture out onto the wide flats at low tide, where there are fewer people and the sand is soft beneath my sandals. The sand is moist and dotted with patches of bright green sea grass.
On other lonesome beach excursions I'll have chats, even debates, with God, praying my heart out and listening for His reply. But not today. Of late my head has just been too full of words -- too many things to think about, hats to wear, people to shepherd, irons in the fire. I have half-a-dozen summer retreats to be preparing for in parallel, sermons, Sunday schools, discipleship, planning. How should I allocate my time; who should I invest time in to get to know better; who do I have to let go of.
Today, on this beach, I speak no words to God, and I hear no words from Him, and it is okay. Sometimes words don't need to be said. In His presence, my heart is quieted by His love -- to trust in Him, to be still and know that He is God.
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.He will take great delight in you,he will quiet you with his love,he will rejoice over you with singing.