Remembering a forgotten Sabbath
Between my husband and I, our weekends lately have been going at a rate of a mile a minute. And by lately, I mean for about the past 6 months that we have been married. We have been traveling, going to weddings and grad parties, hanging out with friends, you name it. I'm sure your summer looked similar.
Anyways, last weekend, we finally got a chance to slow it down for a minute. We woke up on Sunday morning and started our day off by going to church. And let me tell you, there is just something sacred about communing with the body of Christ. I refuse to hear any argument that believers do not need to be in regular community with others - it is so necessary to a healthy walk (see Hebrews 10:25).
After church, we went to brunch (Deagan's - their brunch is a must) and then had the whole rest of the day open. I spent some much needed time catching up on house work; somehow, some way, cleaning is relaxing. Whatever, I've become my mother. Don't judge me. Then, we walked the dogs, took a nap, and watched Netflix. It was amazing. I'm not sure I've ever felt so refreshed in my life.
Ladies, when was the last time you took a day like this? I mean it. When was the last time you took a day, an afternoon, or an hour and rested? If you're anything like me, you run yourself completely ragged and then spend weeks trying to figure out why your body is so tired, even after a good night's sleep.
I'll tell you our problem. We have forgotten the commandment of the Sabbath. We no longer remember that taking time to rest isn't an option for us. "Remember the Sabbath day to set it apart as Holy (Ex. 20:8)." Keeping a day of rest and time with the Lord is in the Top 10 Commandments that God gave to us. And I think it's about time that we put away our excuses and take it seriously.
Seriously, how do we expect to have an effective week without a Sabbath? If we don't take a day and refocus our eyes on the Lord, why do we think we will have quality quiet times in the midst of a chaotic week? If we aren't giving our bodies a break from the noise and wear of our everyday living, how on earth are we going to keep from running dry?
I think it's time to shift our focus. Instead of asking how we can afford to take time for a Sabbath break, we need to start asking ourselves how we can afford not to. Maybe your schedule doesn't allow for an entire day at a time. So start with two afternoons or evenings in a week. It's going to look different for everyone, because the times that work for me and the things that are restful to me, might not be what works for you.
But whatever you do, please put away the excuses, to-do lists, chores, and other reasons why you just can't. The laundry will be there, ready to fold tomorrow (and probably the day after that, if I'm honest). That project for work can wait until Monday morning, even if you have to get going a little earlier to get it done. Your spiritual life, though? Your well-being? Those can't wait.
Anyways, last weekend, we finally got a chance to slow it down for a minute. We woke up on Sunday morning and started our day off by going to church. And let me tell you, there is just something sacred about communing with the body of Christ. I refuse to hear any argument that believers do not need to be in regular community with others - it is so necessary to a healthy walk (see Hebrews 10:25).
After church, we went to brunch (Deagan's - their brunch is a must) and then had the whole rest of the day open. I spent some much needed time catching up on house work; somehow, some way, cleaning is relaxing. Whatever, I've become my mother. Don't judge me. Then, we walked the dogs, took a nap, and watched Netflix. It was amazing. I'm not sure I've ever felt so refreshed in my life.
Ladies, when was the last time you took a day like this? I mean it. When was the last time you took a day, an afternoon, or an hour and rested? If you're anything like me, you run yourself completely ragged and then spend weeks trying to figure out why your body is so tired, even after a good night's sleep.
I'll tell you our problem. We have forgotten the commandment of the Sabbath. We no longer remember that taking time to rest isn't an option for us. "Remember the Sabbath day to set it apart as Holy (Ex. 20:8)." Keeping a day of rest and time with the Lord is in the Top 10 Commandments that God gave to us. And I think it's about time that we put away our excuses and take it seriously.
Seriously, how do we expect to have an effective week without a Sabbath? If we don't take a day and refocus our eyes on the Lord, why do we think we will have quality quiet times in the midst of a chaotic week? If we aren't giving our bodies a break from the noise and wear of our everyday living, how on earth are we going to keep from running dry?
I think it's time to shift our focus. Instead of asking how we can afford to take time for a Sabbath break, we need to start asking ourselves how we can afford not to. Maybe your schedule doesn't allow for an entire day at a time. So start with two afternoons or evenings in a week. It's going to look different for everyone, because the times that work for me and the things that are restful to me, might not be what works for you.
But whatever you do, please put away the excuses, to-do lists, chores, and other reasons why you just can't. The laundry will be there, ready to fold tomorrow (and probably the day after that, if I'm honest). That project for work can wait until Monday morning, even if you have to get going a little earlier to get it done. Your spiritual life, though? Your well-being? Those can't wait.
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