A Day Off

Mary Kay and I love our leisurely Saturdays.  We wake up about the same time as during the week, but the similarities stop there.  We make some coffee, run the dogs, read the Wall Street Journal to each other (Peggy Noonan is our favorite opinion writer), then make a nice breakfast of eggs, pancakes, and bacon.  After that, we work around the house and yard.  It is such a nice change of pace.  We need that each week.  It is a time to let down, relax, take a deep breath, and put aside all worry and anxiety.  Without that, we are behind the curve for a productive, low stress work week. 

God gave us a day off, the Sabbath, which was baked into creation from the beginning.  He also gave us a rhythm for rest – 6 days on, one day off.  God gave it as a command in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5.  It isn’t a suggestion.  It is something that we are told to align our lives with.  God was absolutely serious about it.  Why?  Here are several reasons:

     1) God commanded us to rest so we recognize that our lives are not dependent just on ourselves.  God will provide for us in such a way that we can have rest.  We can enjoy the fruits of our labor. 

      2) God gave us the Sabbath to realign our relationship with him.  It builds in time for reflection.  Time to consider all the blessings we have and give thanks to God. 

      3) The Sabbath is time with family.  We are to eat together and share our lives.  Spending relaxed time building up our relationships is vital for the ongoing health of our families. 

      4) Deuteronomy tells us that we are to observe a day of rest because we (the Israelites) were slaves in Egypt.  Sabbath is a symbol of liberation.  Deuteronomy goes on to say that no servants or foreigners are to work either.  No other country or empire had such a law.  In those countries, only the wealthy rested.

The Sabbath is for everyone.  Everyone is to enjoy the liberation from slavery and the fruit of God’s blessings.

God has not suggested you take a day off, He commands it!  When you take time to give thanks to God, focus on your family and extend grace to those around you; you will find the peace and renewal of Sabbath rest.

Seeking His Kingdom,

Jonathan