Sabbath. I’m sure you’ve heard of this concept. It’s often associated with Sundays and napping but what does it really mean?
As we settled into our life in North Africa, we as a team sat down to discuss and explore practicing a Sabbath day weekly and the purpose of doing so.
Here are a few of my thoughts on the subject.
Sabbath: a day of delightful communion with the Lord and with others.
Sabbath doesn’t just mean no work and all sleep. Sabbath is seeking to be in the presence of the Lord which will instill in us deep, authentic rest.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Physical rest: certainly.
Spiritual rest: absolutely.
Sabbath is being intentional about seeking the Lord and finding His presence. There are no rules. No formula for achieving absolute rest.
Sabbath is sleep and it’s physical activity. It’s spending one on one time with Jesus and it’s spending time in sweet community. It’s reading a book. It’s watching a movie. It’s baking cookies. It’s playing basketball. It’s writing a poem. It’s watercoloring. It’s pursuing Christ in and through everything. I could argue, really, that every day should be a Sabbath day in that we should be intentionally chasing after God’s direction in each and every step we take, word we say, breath we breathe.
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
So, how I seek Sabbath (subject to change):
Arise before the rest of the house (as is the norm)
Move my body through physical activity (i.e. working out)
Make a cup of sweet beauty in the form of coffee, sit down with my bible, and spend precious time with my Savior
Podcasts, music, books
Lunch with the house
Watercolor and writing
Nap
Coffee with friends
Bake cookies for the house
Dinner with house
Sleep
Now pictures of my latest Sabbath:
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30)
Now share your Sabbath.
