Sunday is like any other day

David Jones on how the Bible tells us that God ordained a day for rest for all people

THE forecast for this coming bank holiday weekend is a mixture of fine, sunny and showery weather.

Not the ideal, and yet if we dodge those showers there’s some hope for an extra day of doing what we want to do, especially as pandemic restrictions are eased.

If rain persists, then all is not lost as there will, no doubt, be a wide selection of films and sport to watch on TV.

The iconic Sound of Music always seems to appear on holiday weekends along with many other movie classics across the channels, so there will be a wide choice even if it turns out a wet bank holiday afternoon. Hopefully not!

Weather forecasters, as we know, do not always get things right, and all being well there will be more sunshine than promised.

The BBC came under fire in 2018 when predictions were of thunderstorms and dipping temperatures.

That weekend there was glorious sunshine and soaring temperatures, which left tourist bosses fuming as many potential tourists had cancelled their weekend plans.

In an infamous weather broadcast in October 1987 Michael Fish wrongly denied claims a hurricane was going to hit Britain while saying that it would be very windy in Spain.

That hurricane hit within hours and there was devastation across the UK.

Mr Fish never lived that down!

Hopefully this weekend, come rain or shine, an extra day of rest and relaxation whatever the weather will be no bad thing.

There is, of course, a Biblical truth, often overlooked, about taking time to rest.

The Bible tells us that God ordained a day for rest for all people. Sadly by now it is often discounted as Sunday has become like any other day.

The negative effects of stress, and terms like ‘burn out’ and ‘workaholic’ are heard more often than ever before.

The pandemic has taken its toll and that’s why we need more than ever to rediscover a balance of work and play together with rest and so the renewal of body and mind; taking time to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation and to celebrate the gifts of family life and friendship.

There’s a place for a work ethic, but not at the expense of essential times of rest and relaxation.

Hopefully the sun will shine brightly this weekend; if not, then there’s always the option of watching Maria climb that mountain yet again!