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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Canon Rachel Mann

Soren Kierkegaard

Good morning.

For many people, the week after Christmas Day is a little odd. For those who are able to take a break from the ordinary run of life, the days can begin to blur. It can become unclear whether we’re still enjoying the feast of Christmas or looking towards to the arrival of the new year.

I find that the slower rhythm and space to be found as we draw close to the new year offers me time to look back over the previous year and begin to look forward to the next. The Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard said, ‘Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.’ That sounds like deep wisdom to me, though in my own particular case, I am not sure that looking backwards really helps me understand my life. The best I can say is that in looking back I have been able to spot patterns of behaviour and habits which have shaped my life.

Perhaps my worst habit is to work too hard. I mistake being busy for enjoying life. While there is nothing wrong with hard work, I rarely pay due mind to the words found in the biblical Book of Ecclesiasticus: ‘My child, do not busy yourself with many matters; There are those who work and struggle and hurry, but are so much the more in want.’ The Bible reminds me that prioritising rest and refreshment is important. Tempting though it is to rush on to the myriad new opportunities ahead, sometimes the wise thing is to slow down, enjoy and think.

O Holy God, you too rested from your work; and knew the delights of rest. Set me free to risk finding joy and space in slowing down this day and always.

Amen.