Why?

We are not called to work all week and then earn our rest. That is backward thinking. We are to rest in who God is, who we are, and then live the other six days from that place of acceptance.

I have heard the Genesis creation story so many times that I have failed to see the details of how things happened. Adam and Eve’s first day on Earth as newly created beings was a Sabbath. It was a day of rest for God and for His creation.

“Now imagine how Adam [and probably Eve] felt on the first Sabbath. Humans were fashioned on the sixth day, which means when Adam first opened his eyes, he was looking at Sabbath and rest. Sabbath was his baseline. His first moment.”

To Hell with the Hustle by Bethke

We are to start our week with Sabbath and then live the other six from that place. From that attitude and center of abiding.

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How?

Sabbath has become something that we all need desperately. In the midst of Sabbath, we all allow ourselves (and each other) some space. We allow time to do what delights and replenishes each of us. 

But to rest from these things means we must plan for it. And let go of the need to keep going every single day. To relinquish the need to see it all and do it all without stopping. We all need time for reflection. Downtime to process the events of the week.

“Your tasks aren’t necessarily the origin of your stress; trying to fit into a mold of who you think you should be almost always is.”

The Lazy Genius Way. [from p.175] 

When?

In the Bible, God instructed the Israelites to observe the Sabbath once every seven days. I honestly do not think it really matters what day you choose or even if you choose two half days. The point is to take time off from all the things.

The weekends are very busy for us. I have more flexibility during the week so we often take a half Sunday and a half Friday off. Or we take an entire Sunday off for rest. Each week is a bit different and that is okay.

• Where in your week is there a natural lull? When do things normally slow down?
• When do you start to feel worn out by the week and need some space to recharge?
• What is needed for quality rest? Prepared meals? A stack of library books? A new Spotify playlist?
• Does your relaxing day of Sabbath smell a specific way?
  • cinnamon rolls in the oven, clean throw blankets & snuggling on the couch, candles, soup in the crockpot, open windows, freshly washed sheets, bacon for breakfast, sunscreen, and splashing in the pool… slow down and think about it.
• What does it sound like?
  • Quiet, laughter and telling silly jokes, piano music from your oldest practicing, birds and trees swaying, conversation, worship music at church, dogs barking at the dog park, the windows down on a relaxed drive… How loud do you want it to be? What sounds do you want to hear?
• What can you change this next week to make space for abiding without agenda?
• How can you be strategic about making space for rest?
• How can you eliminate some activity in your schedule so that you have space for Sabbath?
• Where are you stretching yourself too far?
• Who do you want to spend Sabbath with? Who do you want to rest with?
• How can you communicate with that person and make a plan? – It will take effort, it won’t magically happen.

Encouragement –

I am learning how to create an atmosphere of rest. I am making space for life-giving activities amidst all the things that my weekly schedule holds. I tend to be overly productive and not very fun. But each step I take toward resting well is a healthy step in the right direction.

My prayer for you is that you are able to do the same. Keep pressing forward into resting in Him. God’s grace and patience are abundant. He is willing and ready to teach us what we need to know. By slowing down and finding rest in Him we can get back to our Creator. We can reset and restore our reserves.

I have much more to say about Sabbath. I would love to know, what is hard for you? Where do you struggle? What questions do you have?

🌞Have a peaceful weekend! – April