I haven’t posted here in 6 months, and 6 months on the internet is like a decade in the real world.
Where have I been?
Paige started a new job a month ago so we moved. With her finishing up the school year and a move I decided to take a break from writing.
As I return to the internet it seems like a good idea to focus on the reason for my absence: Sabbath.
And because I’m clever, we’ll focus on 7 reasons to take a Sabbath.
Because you rest on the seventh day? Ya know? Get it?
God did it
Right off the bat, we should talk about where the Sabbath came from.
God created the universe and everything in it in 6 days and rested on the seventh. He didn’t have to rest, he doesn’t exactly get tired and creating the Universe probably wasn’t all that difficult for him. He rested to show that his work was done and he was satisfied.
And to set an example for us.
It was so important to him that we rest that so he set an example for us. We should follow that example.
Sabbath gives others an opportunity to work
Before God rested he gave man dominion over creation and told them to multiply. He may have rested, but he let Adam and Eve get to work.
When we take a sabbath it allows others to do work they may not normally do. It shows confidence in those around you and encourages them to grow. When Moses appointed judges to give himself a break, he also empowered his community. When Jesus sent the disciples on mission by themselves he developed leaders.
Sabbath demonstrates faith in God
Beyond showing confidence in those around you, Sabbath demonstrates faith in God.
Faith that he can handle things without you. Faith that he has equipped and prepared those around you.
Remember, God handled everything just fine before you were born. He can manage 24 hours without you.
Sabbath refreshes and prepares
Jesus often took breaks.
After feeding the 5,000 (Matt. 14:22-23).
To be away from people (Mark 6:30-32).
Before choosing the disciples (Luke 6:12-13).
Before the crucifixion (Luke 22:41).
Jesus did the most important work that has ever been done, but he needed Sabbath to rest from and prepare for that work.
Sabbath teaches us that we are more than our jobs
This morning a person I just met asked me, “What do you do?”
Which is a way to find out if someone is important.
It is so easy to let the externals of our careers, salaries, and titles define us. But God says that isn’t what he cares about.
For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Those things aren’t bad, but they aren’t all we are. This may be discouraging if your job makes you feel important or encouraging if your job makes you feel unimportant. Either way, taking time away from your job helps you to see yourself as God sees you.
Your family and friends need you
The people closest to you already know that you’re more than your job. My 4 year old still struggles to understand what work is and why we would ever leave for it. His entire understanding of his parents is based on something other than their work.
Your friends are the same way. Old ones have known you since before you started working. Good ones will know you after you retire.
Your family and friends need you to be present with them. They need your undivided attention. And you need them too.
Work can provide for you, it can benefit others, it can teach you valuable life lessons. But it can’t replace friends and family. Take a break and be with them.
Sabbath is practice for heaven
Hebrews 4 calls heaven “a Sabbath rest for the people of God” and encourages us to “strive to enter that rest.”
Heaven is Sabbath. If you don’t learn to rest now, eternity is going to be difficult for you.
What about you?
Those are seven reasons I practice sabbath. But you might have one of your own.
Do you rest? If not, what is keeping you from it?
