Take a Break | thoughts on sabbath rest

When was the last time you took a few hours and did something you truly enjoy? Not work. Not errands. Not packing lunches. Maybe it’s time to close the work laptop, simply STOP, and enjoy the people and goodness that is all around you.

Sabbath is just that. To sabbath means “to stop”. To cease work and rest in God’s presence. To be satisfied in God, and nothing else. Taking time to slow life way down and enjoy what is right in front of you.

Take a few moments and ask yourself, “when was the last time I took some Sabbath time in my own life?” Or maybe the last time your family enjoyed a time of Sabbath together? To stop all work and the urge to clean the house or produce more, and simply rest.

God models for us this pattern of work and rest. Take a look!

“For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day.Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”  Exodus 20:11

Now some of you may be reading this and thinking, “how in the world would I find an entire day to just do nothing?!” I want to encourage you that you can start with a few hours at a time. If it feels daunting to set aside an entire day at this point, start with a few hours. Then maybe increase time each week as you add in the practice of Sabbath in your life.

Not only does God model this practice of Sabbath for us, he also speaks very highly of its importance when he says, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy,” Exodus 20:8. God shows us in his Word that it is good and holy to rest.

God knows that we are all working hard right now while also undergoing a pandemic for the first time. We are carrying so much in our lives. Anxiety is on the rise, and loneliness as well. What if God is asking us to just spend some time with him amidst all of the noise and chaos? 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you REST.” Matthew 11:28 

You have permission, even encouragement, from God to rest. Are you weary? Are you tired? Are you burdened? God is calling you to step away from the noise and rest. 

During quarantine I knew I could spend extra hours watching Netflix or on social media, but I wanted to find out more about true rest and Sabbath. I read an amazing book called The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry during quarantine, and here are some inspiring words: 

“The Sabbath isn’t just a 24 hour time slot in your weekly schedule; it’s a spirit of restfulness that goes with you throughout your week.” 

“The Sabbath is how we fill our souls back up with life.”

I knew that I needed to not only rest during quarantine, but to rest in God. And you know what after I started practicing Sabbath, I started to crave it week after week. My soul was enjoying this slowed down pace, and I knew that I needed it to sustain me as we are all going through so much right now. 

WHERE DO I START?

Here are some helpful tips as you get started with a Sabbath routine:

Step 1: What brings me (and my family) joy? What do I lose track of time while doing it? As fall is upon us, maybe take some time to Sabbath outside. You could pick apples or take a fall walk, or maybe drive and have a family color tour of the changing leaves.

Step 2: Make a list of these activities to have at your home.

Step 3: Make sure you carve out time on the calendar to create a time of Sabbath. Write it down as if it is an important appointment!

Step 4: There is no magic formula. Enjoy this new rhythm in your lives! 

My encouragement to you is find some time this week to simply rest. You might enjoy it more than you can even imagine, and it slowly becomes a pattern in your life.  

Peace to you all as you find ways to truly rest in God.   

About the author:
Jettie Velthouse

Jettie is the Groups Director at the Knapp Street Campus for Lifeline Student Ministries.