When I was in university I was briefly involved with a group called Inter-Varsity. I did not last long with them as I found their theological perspective a little too conservative for my liking and their literal reading of the Bible a little too restrictive. However, I did like one thing about the experience. They had a group Friday afternoon group called CATGIF. The acronym stood for “Christians also thank God it is Friday”! I don’t really remember what we did at CATGIF – it might have even been Bible study – not a typical ‘kick-back’ activity for university students (ha ha – I hear you saying now you are not surprised I did not last long with the group!!!); but I do remember the acronym CATGIF and often think of it on a Friday afternoon.
Now, admittedly for ministers, Friday afternoons bring their own share of pressure. Often I hear my self saying, “WHAT – it is Friday already?” Because that means that Sunday is bearing down and Sunday means a whole lot of work for ministers. Nonetheless, there is something about the rhythm of the weekend, even if it means a working weekend, that fosters a change of pace and bringing with it a feeling of relaxation.
Friday ushers in the weekend and the weekend brings with it Sabbath, a change of pace, a time of rest and renewal, a feeling of letting go, of releasing the driven pressure of work and appointments and schedules to let God dwell near, and around, and in. TGIF!
Here is a poem for your Friday reflection, written by Wendell Berry with the reminder that God is at work in the world.
Sabbath
Whatever is forseen in joy
Must be lived out from day to day.
Vision held open in the dark
By our ten thousand days of work.
Harvest will fill the barn; for that
The hand must ache, the face must sweat.
And yet no leaf or grain is filled
By work of ours, the field is tilled
And left to grace. That we may reap,
Great work is done while we’re asleep.
When we work well, a Sabbath mood
Rests on our day, and finds it good.
~ Wendell Berry
