Photo: A sleeping hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius), taken by Denise Plume Read the following Bible passages: Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8. MSG.) “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.” (Matt. 11: 28-29. MSG.) A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! (Mark 4: 37-38a. MSG.) Pause and reflect for 30 seconds or so. Ask: who or what is the dormouse? Nature resting in its own needed rhythm? You as you might be, as we should be? Jesus in the bottom of the boat sleeping despite the raging storm? Sleep/rest is God-like, Christ-like. It is written into the needs of creation. As humans made in that God’s image likewise we are obliged, required to rest. To. Stop. Now. Like the dormouse, we cannot survive the hard times by being constantly active. We have to stop. Nourish ourselves and rest. Give creation time to rest and be …