SIMPLE SABBATH

SCHEDULE TIME TO SIMPLY REST

All work — paid and unpaid — is good, but it needs boundaries.

The problem is that we allow our work to trespass on every area of life, disrupting the balanced rhythm of

work and rest God created for our good which is called the Sabbath.

Sabbath is a twenty-four-hour block of time in which we stop work, enjoy rest, practice delight, and

contemplate God.

STEPS TO REST

1. Stop. Sabbath is first and foremost a day when we stop work — paid and unpaid. We embrace our limits

and let go of the idea that we run the world. We recognize we will never finish all our goals and projects, and

that King Jesus is on the throne ruling the universe.

2. Rest. Once we stop, we accept God’s invitation to rest. After God created the entire universe, He rested.

So, every seventh day, we can do the same (Genesis 2:1 – 4). Engaging in activities that restore and

replenish us — from napping, hiking, reading, and eating good food to enjoying hobbies and playing sports.

Resting from unpaid work, however, requires advance planning. If we’re to enjoy a Sabbath rest, we need to

set aside time during the week to take care of errands and duties — paying bills, cleaning or fixing

something around the house, etc.

3. Delight. After finishing His work in creation, God said “it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). This was a joyful

recognition and celebration of accomplishment.Observing the Sabbath is to take God’s invitation to join in

the celebration, to enjoy and delight in His creation and all the gifts He offers. These innumerable gifts come

to us in many forms, including people, places, and things.

So ask yourself the following question, “What gives me joy and delight?” This is different for each of us, but

part of the Sabbath invitation is to enjoy and delight in creation and her gifts. Pastor Sara and I both enjoy

the beauty of nature. We enjoy hiking, walking in nature and in city places to people watch. We are also

“foodies” so we delight in eating good. We love good movies, documentaries and tv shows. I delight in

browsing through vintage stores, sneaker stores and unique bookstores. Sara loves looking for good deals

at discount stores. On Sabbath we seek to do any number of these things and it is never the same.

4. Contemplate. Pondering the love of God is the central focus of the Sabbath. Biblically the Sabbath is

“holy to the Lord” or set apart for God. It is not taking time off from God but rather a day dedicated to

drawing closer to him. It’s an invitation to see our Unseen King in the Seen World He gave us. It’s a time to

recognize the mysteries of God’s goodness in our lives. It doesn’t mean we spend the whole day in prayer or

studying Scripture, although these activities may be part of you Sabbath day. Instead, contemplation means

we are laser focused on the goodness of God’s love that comes to us through so many gifts from His hand.

Psalm 19:1 says, all creation declares His glory. On our Sabbath, we intentionally look for his greatness in

everything from people, food, and art to babies, sports, hobbies, and music. In this sense, contemplation is

an extension of delight — we are intentional about looking for the evidence of God’s love in all of the things

He has given us to enjoy.