Shmitah
This last spring, we had a uncommonly very warm spell in March. The fruit trees all blossomed and began forming fruit. Then, just a few weeks later, we had a hard frost and a cold spell. Almost all of the tiny, tender young fruits were frozen, so this has largely been a fruitless year for local trees. Gardeners are feeling sad, but a nursery person rather put it all in a good perspective. This is a rare year for the trees; a chance to use all their energy into simply growing stronger, taller, wider, and healthier. It’s actually very beneficial for trees to have a “year off”.
For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.
Leviticus 25:3-4 NIV
For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what is left. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.
Exodus 23:10-11 NIV
In the Bible, God encouraged farmers to plant, prune, and harvest for six years. The seventh year, Shmitah, was instructed to be a year of rest for the land. No purposeful planting, growing, or pruning…though fresh fruit could be eaten without expense by everyone who needed it including the poor, travelers, servants, and animals. This seventh year was holy, a Sabbath to the Lord. It was a reminder that God owns the earth and humans are just tenants; we are to care for the gift of Creation. Letting the land rest and allowing others to share in fresh harvest was also a reminder that care for others by sharing is important.
Aside from a regular Sabbath, we humans also need to sometimes have a “Shmitah”. All of us. Though some of my friends call me the energizer bunny, I know that I need to be careful not to overdo. It’s hard because I generally keep quite busy. God has created me to be a natural encourager so interactions with people and supporting those in my life has always been of paramount importance.
One of the many things I’ve done, since 2020, has been to host and lead a church community group in my home. It’s been wonderful to focus on becoming more like Jesus by spending time in the Word, prayer, and fellowship with a small group. We support and encourage each other and have built relationships.
Perhaps you have volunteered for an organization for years or have served in a specific ministry for a long time. Even though you love what you are doing, are you tired? Do you need a “Shmitah” season in your life for something that you have done regularly for years? A “Shmitah” is not quitting but taking good care of yourself because God loves you even as he loves the land.
Over the summer this year, though, I realized that I was tired. It’s been wonderful but exhausting to host and lead my group for the last six years. Not just prepping the discussions, cleaning house, and making some snacks, but reaching out to various individuals in the group regularly between our meetings. Like our local fruit trees, God has made it clear that I need to take a “Shmitah” from leading a group. It’s just a season, but one in which I will attend other group(s) and also have some weeks off. A time to focus on resting and growing in different ways.
