Take a Sabbath

Stop.

Take a deep breath. As you breathe in say, “I rest in you.” As you breathe out say, “You are my peace.” Repeat as many times as you need.

Listen.

And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. – Genesis 2:2-3

Reflect.

Not only is rest part of God’s ingrained intention for creation, God further encoded it in the divine order. The instruction to rest on the Sabbath day is so central to who God calls us to be that God put it in the Commandments. And even though God made it part of the beginning of creation and made it even more vital as a commandment, it’s one of the pieces of our faith we’re most likely to ignore. 

It’s not even about observing Sabbath as a day of worship and praise – although that’s definitely a huge part of it. It’s about the importance of rest and what it means for our trust in God. 

When we rest, especially when we make rest a regular and integral part of our days and weeks, we remember that even God rested. What God did was enough. We are not more than or better than God. We were never meant to push on further and faster as if we could improve on what god already does among us. Instead, we take at least one day out of our week to pause, to stop our work, and to reorient ourselves to our Creator in worship, recreation, and rest.  

When we refuse to rest, we deny ourselves the holy pause that God made for us as part of creation. We forget that rest isn’t indulgence or laziness, but a divine gift intended for renewal of ourselves, our souls, and our spiritual lives.

Pray.

God, you are my rest. Grant me peace. Give me confidence in you so that I can free myself from the need to do more and can instead trust that you are enough. I honor you in my Sabbath time. Allow me to grant that same freedom to others. Amen.

Carry On.

What would true Sabbath look like in your life? How can you make it part of your time this week?