Saturday, August 14, 2010

Rushing


"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exhalted among the nations, I will be exhalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

This sculpture stands near the entrance of a park in a nearby city. Metal man is rushing so much that he is losing the papers from his briefcase and his coffee is spilling. And, oh dear, he is running about so much that he has actually lost his head! I have some days like that. When I have to rush too much, I feel like I am losing my head. And maybe the artist, Rob Tarbell, knew the feeling. I'm so glad that on Sunday I have a good reason to be lazy!



"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work...For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy." Exodus 20

29 comments:

Karin said...

As a society we have done ourselves immeasurable harm - physically, emotionally, but especially spiritually for not honoring the wonderful gift of a day of rest! Hubby and I enjoy being laid back and taking it easy and especially on Sunday.

Be blessed! Enjoyed the sculpture - it speaks volumes!

Rose said...

love the photos and your post. thanks for your comment on my blog re spring cleaning. Rose

Anonymous said...

Hi Jenny, What an appropriate statue for the verse!

I hope you have a blessed Sunday and that the week ahead is full ob blessings.

Annie Jeffries said...

I love the artist's humor as he makes a serious statement about the state of life today for so many. Is this a permanent installation?

DawnTreader said...

Oh dear... My first impression was it was an odd-looking scare-crow! (Maybe it works that way, too?) Good find, and good post. I feel this week has been a bit like that for me and I decided yesterday that today I'm really just going to do a lot of Nothing. Have a good Sunday.

SquirrelQueen said...

The sculpture does make an excellent statement on our society's need to rush though everything we do. I like the sense of motion on this piece.


Ginny, Margot Berwin the author of Hothouse Flower replied to the comment you left on my book review. Thought you might like to go back and take a look. I have been exchanging emails with her, she is a fun person.

Reanaclaire said...

yes, sometimes we get too engrossed in our daily lives, our work, our pleasures.. that we do not focus on our Lord and bask in His quietness.. Thanks for reminding us today, Ginny...

Beverly said...

Oh, what a reminder that sculpture is. I haven't seen it before. Is it new? You have a wonderful spiritual application as well.

Blessed Sunday to you.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue ι™ˆζ΄ι›ͺ said...

I thought he was a scarecrow.

I am like you, some times I know I am rushing too much when I make mistakes, spill things etc, Then I tell myself, to be still and recharge.

From the Kitchen said...

This is a great piece of art that speaks volumes. Love the way you've captured it and it's surroundings. You are teaching me to be more alert to photo ops everywhere I go.

Is the Ark still around (or should I say "aground") on the way to Charlottesville? That was a big shock to me in driving with my sister.

Best,
Bonnie

Jane said...

Wonderful post. I agree - there is so much pressure to go, go, go all the time that in the long run, it can have nothing but a negative effect.

Jane

srp said...

What an unusual sculpture! Yes we have made the Lord's day... just another day. We have also wreaked havoc with most of the other commandments as well. God's patience with us is amazing and deep but will not last forever. I hope our nation wakes up and returns to God soon.

MadSnapper said...

thank you for the reminder. i just saw the photo and thought wow, what a great meal sculpture. then I read your remarks and was ashamed, i did not even SEE what the art meant until you Saw it and Shared it. thanks for the scripture reminder also

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I love this sculpture...it speaks volumes...slow down!!!!!

RoeH said...

That's the neatest statue.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Gin, You always have the neatest photos and stories to go with your scripture... Your blog posts always give us some 'meat' ---which makes us think!!!!

I spent so much of my life hurrying and rushing. I did not take time to LIVE life or to enjoy it... I was working fulltime, taking care of my sons --and just trying to make ends meet. I didn't realize at the time that I didn't have to do EVERYTHING on my 'list' every single day...

Life has changed for me now though --and I definitely take time to 'smell the roses'... I love life to its fullest now --and regret not taking time for the important things when I was younger. Oh Well--we can't go back. We just have to keep on moving forward.

Yes---today is Sabbath, and I will SIT and be LAZY --and that is fine with God...

Have a wonderful Sunday at church.. We will also.
Love,
Betsy

Stephanie V said...

That's a perfect sculpture for our times. Nice find, Ginny.

Mary Bergfeld said...

The artist makes his point with humor. What a delight. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

Rose said...

jumping back just saw your comment re spring cleaning. won't do this in anytime soon. but not finished. yesterday spent 2 hours up and 2 hours down driving back and forth to the Atlanta airport i did this 2 Sat. in a row. had to stop my cleaning. also another issue. friends are important. still have to finish this mess. take care rose

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Today is a total day of rest for me.Having made a trip to the ER yesterday,I feel a little tired.I am fine,it turned out to be nothing,for which I praise God.
Blessings,Ruth

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginny, Cool sculpture! Nicely written post today too! Have a nice enjoyable Sunday!

George said...

I can certainly relate to Metal Man. But, like you, I'm very thankful for Sabbath and the opportunity to consider what is really important.

Dawning Inspiration said...

I love this! I thought maybe it was a modern type scarecrow!! PS: Love that verse: Be still and know that I am God..... it quiets my spirit.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Excellent post. It does seem, sometimes, as if we are rushing and rushing but never really getting anywhere.

Glenda said...

That's such a great illustration of how so many live their lives! I'm thankful for times of rest and for the Sabbath that we need physically and spiritually.

Anonymous said...

Amen! A day of rest is much needed to reflect on our Lord and give thanks to Him for all our blessings.

~Ron

Fred Alton said...

A great reminder that we need a day of rest out of each week. I get my rest on Saturday or sometimes Monday. Come to think of it, as a preacher, Sunday's have been one of my busiest days...but we too need to stop and rest each week.

Rose said...

thaks for your comment re wind. yes it can be a negative thing, but we fail to acknowledge the good we receive. take care rose

ruthi said...

Awesome... who would have thought of such sculpture... great a idea indeed. what a wonderful way to send a message to slow down... so you won't lose your head.

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