A Day of Rest
What does a day of rest look like for you? Not just a day off, I'm talking about the kind of Biblical rest that Jesus promises us.
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
I’ve been processing through this idea of rest ever since my recent holiday and I’ve been challenged to revisit the idea of Sabbath. Ok, I guess it’s not just an idea so much as a command but my life doesn’t always reflect that so I thought it was time for a refresher.
Often I think a good night's sleep is rest, while this is indeed true it's not what Jesus is talking about in the scripture above. He wants us to find rest in him that will fill us up and refresh us spiritually. A kind of rest that restores our soul and allows us to go out and do the work he’s called us to over and over again.
So how do we find this kind of rest?
“Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.” Isaiah 58:13
We find that rest through observing the Sabbath. Seems easy enough but much harder in a world that never stops. A world that celebrates over-working, over-committing, and hustling. To be clear, work is good, we’re designed to work, Adam had a job before sin entered the world (Gen. 2:15), work was a part of God’s perfect plan. Plus, God worked for six days and rested one. In this equation, it is obvious that work is pretty significant and we’re called to do it well.
“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
The work part of the equation we get right most of the time. We're wired to work and so it comes naturally. It’s the rest part we sometimes struggle with.
“So the creating of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the
seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.” Genesis 2:1-2
God worked for six days then He rested
God did not rest because he was tired
God did not need a break
God rested to give us an example, an invitation to recognize that rest is part of the rhythm of life. Work enthusiastically, give your best, be all in...for six days, then rest and reflect. God rested to appreciate his work and we must do the same. For us, it's to appreciate the work we completed through His Spirit at work in us. It’s not our accomplishment alone we must slow down long enough to acknowledge His place in all of it and give thanks. The truth is we do get tired, we do need rest, we are not God. We get worn out and weary and so we must stop and remember it is God who produces the fruit in our lives, all of our strivings will never be enough.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NLT)
Hopefully, by now, you're starting to understand why this is so important and I hope, you're a little excited to start embracing this rest that God offers us. Where do we begin?
Choose
Determine your Sabbath day and put it on your calendar. One of the things I was reminded of during this time of re-establishing my Sabbath is that Biblical Sabbath is from sundown to sundown. God built in physical rest. Part of your 24-hour window is for sleep. Honor this, let yourself stop to get a good night's sleep. Might I suggest going to bed early...crazy, I know.
So if Saturday is your Sabbath day than you will start on Friday at sundown and end on Saturday at sundown. Traditionally, Sabbath was taken on Saturday however, if that doesn’t work for you, chose another day. The sabbath is a gift, take it and appreciate it whenever you can...just make sure it’s every week.
“Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of the people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27
Prepare
I once read a devotional where the author likened their preparation for their sabbath day to Christmas Day and I loved this mindset. Who doesn’t look forward to Christmas Day? It never surprises us, we know it’s coming and we’ve prepared for it, we’re excited for it. Now that you know when your sabbath day is you can prepare for it. My hope is that it will be something you look forward to each week, much like Christmas 🤗.
Take some time planning out what a Sabbath day will look like for you. Think through activities that allow your mind to slow down and be present, Places that make you feel most connected to God, people that you can share with. Some of you will need a walk in nature others might want to sit in a beautiful cathedral (I highly recommend this book to learn more about ways in which we all connect to God). Maybe you can decide on a Bible reading plan or a devotional to focus on for the next month on your sabbath days. Think through meals for that day ahead of time (remember, the Israelites received enough manna for two days on the sixth day) or determine where you will go out, make plans to meet a friend specifically to share what God has done and pray together. Prepare as much as you can in advance so you have the space to rest and reflect on what God is saying and where he leads you during this time.
Plan
Once you have an idea of what activities you’d like to do or the things that need to be prepared for, make a plan. Your Sabbath day doesn't need to rely on a strict schedule (although some of you would love that I bet...) however it will be helpful if you've predetermined some pieces of your day in order to keep your mind free from having to make those decisions later, it may also help you stay on track and not get distracted. This isn’t a day to zone out and binge watch Netflix (there are days for that though 😉). On this day you want to be fully present.
Rest, don’t stop.
A general outline that allows for some flexibility is enough. Over time you'll get your own rhythm that works for you.
There’s no one way to do this that works for everyone. The goal for this time is to give God thanks. Slow down and review the previous six days to find evidence of God’s hand at work in and through you during that time and celebrate that, write it down or share it with your family and friends then pray and thank God for all he has done, this will increase your faith and theirs.
Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people! Psalms 66:5
I’d love to know how you’ve integrated a Sabbath into your schedule. If you have ideas please share them. If this is new to you, give it a try, commit for a month and then tell me how it goes.
