Sabbath
Week 03: Resting
The Sabbath is a gift to be enjoyed. It is not a duty to be endured. Sadly, many miss this reality. We think of the Sabbath as a day of “don’ts” of begrudging commands and burdens. But on Sabbath, we say “no” to some things only to say “yes” to other things. The things we say “yes” to are rest, worship, delight, feasting, and enjoying life to the full. We only say “no” to the things that rob us of energy and life so that we can say “yes” to those that fill us back up with life, joy, wonder, and creativity.
As we have said before, the Sabbath is not just a day off. It’s not sanctified laziness or avoiding the responsibilities of life. In fact, one cannot Sabbath well if they have not worked well. The Sabbath is not just about one day; it’s about all seven. We work hard for six days and rest for one. We do this because this is how our God modelled work and creativity (Gen. 2:2). This is the heart of discipleship — modelling our lives after God himself. This is why we rest and keep the Sabbath “holy” or special (Gen. 2:3).
The Sabbath is a day of rest. Six days a week we pour ourselves into work, creativity, running errands, and cleaning around our home. On the Sabbath we rest. This might mean that we sleep in, read a book, go for a long walk, read Scripture, spend time with God in silence, journal, or maybe another form of rest. The goal is to rest, spend time with God, and tend to our souls.
01 – Put to Rest. If we are to rest we must put to rest the things that keep us from resting. This can include work, studies, errands, chores, your phone, etc. Determine the things in your life that you can put to rest for the Sabbath.
02 – Be at rest. Spend the day resting. This doesn’t mean it can’t be a fun or joyful day. I would argue it should be a day of joy and delight (Isa. 58:13). Choose 2-3 activities you can do that will give you life and will help you rest. There may be some activities that are not on this list that you want to include.
Sleep in
Read a book
Be intimate with your partner
Go for a long walk
Watch a movie
If your work is mainly intellectual you may want to do something active to give your mind a rest (i.e walk in nature, do something with your hands, garden, etc.)
If your work is mainly physical you may want to do something cognitively engaging (i.e read a book, write poetry, draw, etc.)
03 – Rest in God. Saint Augustine once said, “You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless, until it rests in you.” Sabbath isn’t just a day of rest. It’s a day we also spend time resting in God. Choose an activity for Sabbath that you can spend time resting in God’s presence. Again, there may be some activities that are not on this list that you want to include.
Read Scripture
Be with God in silence
Journal
Go on a prayer walk
Recommended Resource: Subversive Sabbath by A J Swoboda