Remembering the Sabbath

A minister friend of mine reminded me recently that crashing on a couch watching the Blue Jays isn’t Sabbath, much as it may be a rest. Deep down I know this, but I’ve been struggling with the discipline to practice Sabbath and carve out another time in my week because Sundays are work days for me. Much as I may be able to worship in the moment of leading a service, it’s still work.

When I preached about the 7th day of Creation last Sunday and God’s decision to rest and model that pattern for us, I came clean and said that I was bad at it. I’ve written about this before, but I’m back in this space again having to face it in my Creation sermon series. Preparing to preach about it forced me to confront my need to intentionally spend time with God - just me - in the midst of a sea of responsibilities and concerns.

It’s good to have soul friends and mentors who can ask the tough questions and keep us accountable. I’m good at talking about ministry and what I’m doing, but to talk about how my soul is and what I do for Sabbath restoration? Hmmmm…that’s much harder. For some people it may be easy, but as my life has become more complicated, especially recently, Sabbath can be the thing taken off the list and sacrificed first.

We justify this in so many ways - I spend time preparing for worship so I’m already spending time with God; I pray or read something about the Bible every day so I’m getting in some God time; I’m kind of mad at God at the moment, so I’ll get back to it when I’m less frustrated; and maybe perhaps most honest of all - I’ve forgotten how to do this for me in the midst of busyness and leading others to do it.

Previous generations with their severe restrictions of activities on the Sabbath made it appear punitive to many of us. The list of dont’s made it seem like God didn’t care about fun or rejuvenation. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Sabbath isn’t for God but for us. It should be inspiring, exciting, nourishing, fulfilling, soul-quenching, restoring. It should fill the void and remind us that our work should not be what we’re worshiping, but that we need to work at our worship to regain proper perspective.

I’ve been learning about women’s health as they go through mid-life and the presenters keep talking about finding exercise that you enjoy rather than forcing yourself to the gym for mindless repetition. How like our Sabbath and spiritual lives. Some of us find certain kinds of prayer easy and very enjoyable while others would rather commune with God in nature or find a small group to worship with or reflect together to listen for God’s direction. Some would like to sing or play worship music or attend worship services while others would rather make prayer shawls or do art or journal in a posture of meditation and listening.

God has given each of us ways that help us to connect and turn to our Creator and to be reminded of Who is in control and Whose we are. We each will find life more enjoyable and satisfying if we tap into those channels which draw us close to God and which put the Almighty at the centre of our lives rather than as an after-thought or resource only when requested. We connect with our true identity as children of God when we take the time to accept the invitation to spend time with Jesus and to plug in to the Spirit’s healing power.

I know all this, and that I won’t regret making the time and prioritizing my own well-being with extended times of Sabbath beyond a devotion at the end of the day and praying as I fall asleep. What holds me back? Perhaps forgetting that I’m loved as I am and that God is trustworthy, compassionate and gracious and will keep me from falling. Giving myself over to God can feel like loss of control when many things are out of my control at the moment, but I need to keep reminding myself that it is absolutely the safest place for me to be. I need to dive in and do it. I hope you accept the invitation too.

May you experience a rich time of Thanksgiving this weekend, and every week, as you find time to centre on the One who loves you beyond imagining.