The Lord laid out a calendar of annual events that Israel was to observe, which included Passover, Pentecost, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Day of Atonement:
The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies (Leviticus 23:1-2).
The Jews were to plan their year not around work but rather around an awareness of God and His worship requirements. These celebrations or commemorations sometimes required travel to Jerusalem and necessitated that the people interrupt the rhythm of their lives to acknowledge the Lord's presence as the sustainer of their nation.
What's more, the Jews always had something they were looking forward to and planning. It created traditions they would celebrate as a family. There was an overall pattern of life but it was never to become drudgery or dull. As they experienced a variety of life experiences, it was to enhance not only their worship but their creativity and purpose as well, for a break from their normal routine would energize their lives and keep them from a complacent, surprise-free lifestyle.
What about you? Is your life dull and a tad boring? Do you plan some things in your future to which you can look forward that involve seeing new things or at least things outside your daily routine? Do you celebrate special times with family and friends? Can you step away from where you live and work, and venture out into places for events that will stimulate and breathe life into your normal routine? Where is fear acting like gravity, holding you to a set pattern which you cannot break?
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