🛠️Weekend Wisdom: On Rhythms of Rest and Production
Dear friends & family,
Greetings from a whirlwind week of milestones, travel, and only partial productivity. If you've been following along, you'll have noticed that our publishing rhythm was a bit different this week - with Monday's exploration of dominative theology, Wednesday's reflections on common life politics, and Thursday's deep dive into the cotton economy's transformation of American Christianity, but without our usual Tuesday personal essay or Friday satire.
The Grace of Abbreviated Weeks
There's something I've been learning (very slowly, I might add) about the rhythms of work and rest: sometimes the most productive thing we can do is to accept limitation. This week brought several meaningful life milestones, including a significant birthday celebration and unexpected travel, which pulled me away from my writing desk more than anticipated.
Years ago, I would have pushed through regardless, sacrificing sleep, canceling commitments, or producing rushed work simply to maintain the appearance of unwavering productivity. But I'm learning that there's wisdom in acknowledging creative work's natural ebbs and flows, especially when life's other important dimensions require attention.
This Week's Offerings
If you haven't had a chance to read (or listen to!) this week's essays, here's what you might have missed:
While my Tuesday personal essay and Friday satire took a brief hiatus, I'm looking forward to returning to our regular rhythm next week, refreshed and with new perspectives gleaned from this week's experiences.
A Brief Reflection on Sabbath Economics
This abbreviated publishing week has me thinking about Sabbath economics - the biblical pattern of working six days and resting on the seventh. This wasn't merely a religious ritual but a profound economic statement: there is enough. The Sabbath declares that the world can continue without our constant striving, that abundance rather than scarcity is the fundamental reality.
When we practice rhythms of rest alongside production, we make a countercultural claim about what truly matters. We're saying that human dignity isn't found primarily in output but in relationship with God, others, creation, and even ourselves.
Perhaps there's wisdom in occasionally disrupting our carefully crafted schedules to remember that we are human beings, not human doings - that our worth isn't measured by our productivity but by the love that shapes our lives.
Looking Ahead
Next week, we'll return to our full publishing schedule, including:
Monday: The next chapter in our exploration of dominative theology
Tuesday: A personal reflection on finding spiritual meaning in ordinary experiences
Wednesday: Continuing our series on common life politics
Thursday: Another historical confessional examining America's untold stories
Friday: A satirical piece holding up a mirror to our cultural contradictions
Until then, I wish you a restful and reflective weekend—one where productivity takes a back seat to presence, accomplishment matters less than attentiveness, and the gift of time is received with gratitude rather than anxiety.
With appreciation for your understanding and continued engagement,
Craig
Weekend Wisdom is my Saturday newsletter offering practical applications of the week's theological explorations. If you've found these reflections valuable, please consider sharing them with others who might benefit.