The Rhythm of Sabbath

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
- Exodus 20:8

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
- Mark 2:27





I started my sermon this past Sunday with a question: Are you busy? The chuckles that I heard told me what I expected, "do you even have to ask?"

All of us are busy. I think we look at the stage of life that we find ourselves in and say "as soon as I get through __________ I will be less busy." Guess what? It does not happen. We are all busy, and will continue to be. That is why it is so important to be intentional about resting, even in the busyness. That is why it is so important to practice the rhythm of sabbath.

The practice or rhythm of Sabbath is a commandment, but it is also an invitation. It is a way to connect into the rhythm of life that God intended us to live in -- for the health of our body, mind and soul. I am convinced that it is God's plan and prescription that each of us live into and observe the Sabbath. I also think that as we do so, the qualities of biblical Sabbath (STOP, REST, DELIGHT, CONTEMPLATE) infuse our other six days. When we stop, we embrace our limits. God is God. He is creator, I am his creature. The world will continue fine when I stop. We rest by filling the day with things other than work, with things that bring joy and refreshment. We delight in the things that God has given us, in the little and the big. Rather than simply taking things away, think about things you can add (e.g. special desserts, a movie, a creative family activity). Finally we contemplate; we spend time connecting with God in ways that are meaningful to us, we realize the good gifts that he has given us. STOP, REST, DELIGHT, CONTEMPLATE.

Sabbath. What refreshes you? What would it look like for you to enter into this rhythm? What is stopping you from trying?

John Freeman wrote an interesting book entitled, The Tyranny of E-Mail: The Four-Thousand-Year Journey to Your Inbox. While not a book on Sabbath, he offers several creative ways to try to eliminate some of the busyness in our daily routine. Give them a try if you find them helpful.

1. Don’t Send. E-mail only creates more e-mail.
2. Don’t Check it First Thing in the Morning or Late at Night.
3. Check it only Twice a Day. This allows you to set the agenda for your day.
4. Keep a Written To-Do List and Incorporate E-mail into It.
5. Whenever Possible, Call or Talk in Person.

Try it out. Share what you experience when you experiment with entering into the practice and the rhythm of sabbath -- and have fun.