FROM THE PULPIT: LIFE CAN BE A SERIES OF EXTREMES

I went to a banya in Belarus. What is a banya? A banya is that Russian experience where one enters first a sauna, then after a time there, dives into a pool of cool water.

Instead of "out of the frying pan into the fire," it was from "one extreme to the other." The sauna, or steamroom was at least 130 degrees, and one could splash water on the heated rocks to add steam (humidity) to the sauna. Too much water, and it felt like "Swampeast Missouri!" No really, too much water actually made me feel like I was about to suffocate and my skin burn at the same time.

But, then again, going from the sauna directly into the cold pool did not at first feel pleasant either. Talk about freezing! I remembered back to when we used to butcher chickens on the farm, and after we'd cut off their heads, we'd plunge them into scalding hot water in order to pluck their feathers, then wash them to clean the skin in cool water. And here I was in Minsk, Belarus undergoing such a procedure voluntarily!

Many times in life we experience one kind of extreme followed by its opposite. We may go to a worship service or inspirational gathering and be absolutely worn out with the emotion of the experience. Then when we return home, the plumbing is broken, the dog gets run over, our checking account is overdrawn, etc., etc. Or perhaps several different family members experience hospitalization one right after another, or we attend three or four funerals in quick succession. Perhaps we are just simply way too busy and find it difficult to catch our breath, or to actually rest and relax.

Life is full of stress and distress. How do we handle it? Do we try to keep up with the action (run the rat race?). Do we flail helplessly about like the "chicken with its head cut off?" Do we complain, and worry whether we will accomplish enough?

We cannot control what life will throw at us. But our part is to determine how we will handle it.

The banya experience is not only a picture of the stresses we may go through in life. It can also illustrate how to handle problems. If life is too busy, stop! (I don't mean stop living, but stop the busyness. Sit down, relax). If we practice worry, do the opposite; practice faith.

So often we simply wait for things to change. But life will always be busy, it will always present us with stress. I suggest that the fourth commandment is a key to energetic, confident, and worry-free living. Observe the Sabbath Day. Whether it's Saturday or Sunday, we all need our day of rest. (That's what Sabbath means!) A day of ceasing from endless activity, work at breakneck speed, endless chores, a day of worshipping our Creator who gives us life and all things. Nothing else can recharge our batteries so well. We are busy people. But we don't have to be stressed out. Worship the Lord our God. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. God has promised to care for us,so let Him? "Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you." (Psalm 55:22)