Week 2 | Day 3 | Refreshed Rest

Command:

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Exodus 20:8 (NIV)

Read:

​​By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Genesis 2:2-3 (NIV)

Reflect:

Oftentimes we find ourselves so burnt out and at the brink of a breakdown that we are forced into rest. We go day in and day out without taking a break, and find ourselves sick and unable to carry on with our responsibilities. Our society thrives off the hustle. We get paid for 40 hours, work for 80, and lose our health (and sometimes sanity) along the way. 

In the Bible we’re told God blessed the seventh day and made it holy. The God who made the universe, and made us, rested. And he says we should too. So why do we fight it? 

A few months ago, our family committed to keeping the Sabbath. From sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, we silence our phones. We start with a candle lit dinner, pray over our kids, and then we rest. It is the most life-giving day of our week. And now our kids look forward to it. It’s not just sitting around and doing nothing. It’s worship. It's fun. It’s resting from the to-do lists and house projects and emails. It’s saying, let’s be here. Now.

For one day a week, we refocus on what matters and still the noise around us. We are reminded that the Sabbath was made for us. To refresh us.

React:

Why is it so difficult for us to rest? What can we surrender for just one day a week so we can give ourselves space to stop the hustle, rest, worship, and delight in God? 

Pray:

Father, thank you for giving us the Sabbath. Thank you for giving us time and space to be reminded that you’re in control, not us.