Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan. (Leviticus 25:10 NIV11)
Sabbath day, Sabbath year, Jubilee all foreshadow our rest in Jesus, and the restoration of all things. While I don’t practice Jubilee, and I am not sure Israel did either, the concept speaks to me about renewal, restoration, return. In that context God has been generating a silent conversation with me. One that continues to root more deeply in these most recent years.
I find it hard to believe God’s love, and in particular, that He truly does love me. Specifically, me. I know I can come off sounding self-centered, but God clearly works in a way to wrap me around Him instead of self in learning His love.
I mentioned a while back that God shared with me that He desires that I perceive Him as love. The day we had that conversation has left an indelible mark on my soul. I learned that my receiving God as love, the very definer of love, and understanding Him in that way held deep significance for Him. Of course I speak in human terms, nonetheless, God indicated He desired that from me.
Relaxation of soul started shaping my life. Sabbath, in other words, started, happening. Rest entered as a more frequent space in my soul. Jubilee, rejoicing in small things, became more common. Seeing God’s hand and involvement reshaping my heart around how I perceived Him felt very refreshing. God restoring all things.
Sabbath and Jubilee occurring in my soul speak of the new creation taking place because of God’s work so I can perceive Him as He actually is. Transformation of my internalized image of God means transformation of my life experience. Rest and renewal, Sabbath and Jubilee, become realities as God brings my internalized picture of Him more in focus with who He actually is.
He loves. He is love.
My schedule changes through external circumstances and I see God at work understanding my day better than me. An interruption happens, and I discover a gift in the middle of it. Having to wait (for whatever reason) but not wanting to becomes a space to receive His goodness.
Jesus’ re-imaging of God in my soul allows rest to enter, and that renewal increases the experience of joy from all of life’s happenings. Jubilee in Sabbath!
For Reflection:
“But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!” (Psalm 70:4 NIV11)
- How is God reshaping the image of Him you carry in your soul?
- What spiritual practices foster your enjoyment of God and allow you to more easily see His engagement with you?
