The Jubilation of Rest

A jubilee year- the idea filled me, unexpectedly, with joy, excitement, and anticipation. For an entire year, the sky’s the limit, whatever I desire…I engaged my imagination and asked myself the question “What wonderful activities will I FILL it with?”. Red flag alert! I was completely missing the point that the Year of Jubilee was designed by God as a time for rest. A lifelong issue for me, I do not do “rest” well; I am almost always moving, doing, or feeling guilty because I’m not. I kill two birds with one stone as often as I can: treadmill and TV, walking outdoors and a podcast, working out with a friend I need to connect with, eating dinner in front of the nightly news, combining daily writing while reflecting on Lent. So, the first task in planning my jubilee year is to make “rest” the cornerstone, “an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based”. Everything else must be carefully and thoughtfully balanced around that central objective, not the other way around. It will take intentionality and discipline, and maybe, after a year, it will become my M.O.

So, to that end, rather than “returning to my own property”, I’m moving to a warmer climate without winter, a cabin on a lake with a large fireplace and lots of windows. (And because Jubilee was also about family, I’m bringing my husband along.) I want to be surrounded by the sights, sounds, smells, and tranquility of nature, trails to hike, a beach on which to soak up the sun and waves, water to kayak. Far from the city, but close enough to a grocery store for food for simple meals. As I reflect on the idea of “rest” for the land, I’d like to try (OK, this is a difficult stretch) to take a break from buying things, including Amazon (except for books). A year away from Facebook and Twitter for sure, and limited screen time for news and email. I love the idea of emancipation- from responsibilities that drain, from the “shoulds” and “musts”, from worry and self-imposed expectations; I can feel the tension in my shoulders release as I dream about it.

I will enjoy unlimited time to read, in the sun or in front of the fire. I will learn more about writing and do more of it. I will continue my knitting, without any compulsion to attempt projects more complicated than dishcloths or scarves. I will nap, I will sleep in, I will drink my coffee every morning, relaxing without my phone. My easy crossword puzzles and Wordle will keep me challenged and my brain active. During my jubilee, a time of celebration and rejoicing, I hope to cultivate a habit of gratitude, of becoming more aware of the beauty and bounty surrounding me, something that I seem to find more difficult as I age.

In my jubilee year, I hope to grow in my relationship with God, the One who instituted the Year of Jubilee. I want to experience again the deep desire to spend time with Him, something which, unfortunately, often fades over the years. I hope to rediscover the joy, the intimacy, the yearning to know Him more when there are no other distractions attempting to pull me away. To spend time meditating, reflecting, reading scripture as well as books, to just be with God. To rest in His embrace.

As I look over what I have written, I am moved by the thought that much of my jubilee year is attainable right where I am, right now. There are things I can change about me, and my circumstances, activities, and thoughts. I can make changes in how I prioritize my time, how I can let go of things I don’t have to keep holding on to. I can celebrate and rejoice. I can rest. Selah.

— cmshingle