Do you enjoy a certain type of ritual that helps you restore? I was just reading about how God gave the command in the Old Testament that after war those that killed or touched blood were to go for seven days outside the camp to be cleansed. They were to clean their weapons and leather. The thought occurred to me, I get it that they needed to protect each other from the possible contamination, but I recognized something more. In a way, it was commanded rest.
Seven days to debrief what just happened.
Seven days to do routine activities like cleaning tools and clothes.
Seven days of discussing with those around you what happened.
Seven days to lament.
Seven days to celebrate.
Seven days to refrain from the daily grind at home and work.
Seven days to debrief in the mind, body, soul, and spirit.
Commanded rest. It helped them get spiritually pure.
Doesn't spiritual purity happen when we have taken the time to let our mind, body, soul, and spirit catch up with what just happened?
The quiet rest and routine gives room for repentance, restoration, refreshment.
I recognize that the text is showing how we are to be pure before God. I also love that the practice of stepping away helps us get there.
So, I ask again. What ritual(s) do you do that gives you time to get spiritually pure before God? When this one thing is right all the rest fall into place.
