The topic for today is a word and a practice not understood anymore. Well, at least I don’t think so. The idea of Sabbath describes taking rest. However, this definition is too simplistic to really be beneficial. When God talks about sabbath he is not merely saying to us stop activities or chores. There is a deeper dimension that is being described. As followers of Christ and children of God we called to take sabbath rest so that we can focus wholeheartedly on God. God has established the sabbath for us.
Let’s think about this for a moment. I find it interesting that God’s care for us extends even to our tendency to find our purpose and fulfillment in what we do, rather than in our relationship with him. However, God has commanded that we keep the sabbath because in doing so we acknowledge we are mortal and fragile. We can not just go and go and not expect to break down at some point.
The reality of our life’s is this, we have to take a break. We have talked about that some already. God does not want is to miss out on one of the most basic wonders of life, the ability to stop and marvel at what we are experiencing.
Why did God stop on the seventh day? Because after he had finished on the sixth day he saw that “it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). If we follow God’s example we will see we need to take time and enjoy what we have been able to do through the week. But, more importantly, we need to take time to give thanks to God for what he has done throughout the week.
As we journey through Lent I pray that we will grow I our enjoyment of the beauty that surrounds us by taking time to enjoy it.
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