I’m not a Type A personality, but I do like to get things done—especially when I believe the tasks in question might make a positive impact on God’s Kingdom. These things are more than tasks, really; they’re a calling.
Such is the case with my newsletter debacle. For four months, October of 2017 through January 2018, my assistants and I were in sort of a newsletter-platform limbo, trying to decide how to best communicate with my several thousand email friends. In the midst of trying a new system, my assistant was training her replacement, and between the three of us AND my webmaster, none of us could figure out a way to make the new system work.
By the end of January, I was physically ill from the stress…over a newsletter, y’all. How silly is that?
Something besides a newsletter was desperately wrong to evoke that kind of reaction. Making a Kingdom difference is important. Reaching folks with eternal truths is vital. But I had committed more time to DOING godly things than BEING in God’s presence, and it was destroying me.
Resting in His Presence
Of course, we’re always in God’s presence because He’s omnipresent—everywhere at all times. But I’d overlooked the very basic discipline of the intentional REST that He prescribed from the creation of man.
“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
Did God initiate a Sabbath rest because He was tired after six long days of creating? Ummm, no. Jesus cleared that up for the Pharisees when they made up stringent rules for the Sabbath.
“Then [Jesus] said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.’” Mark 2:27-28
New Testament Sabbath
Paul says in Romans 7 that we’re no longer bound by Old Testament laws and the sin it revealed in us. So do we have to obey the fourth commandment—Keep the Sabbath holy?
Well…yes, and no. As we saw earlier, the Sabbath was instituted at Creation, not with the Laws of Moses. Rest is a human need, not just a need for the nation of Israel.
Secondly, the writer of Hebrews makes it clear that even after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Father still offers—and expects us to enter—His Sabbath rest. And He still believes our need for that rest is CRUCIAL for our physical health and for a healthy spiritual relationship with Him.
Faith to Balance Fervent & Flexible
I don’t remember where I heard it for the first time, but it’s stuck with me for decades. Observing a Sabbath requires FAITH. The Israelites had to trust God would provide for their year of Jubilee when they left their ground untilled in the seventh.
“For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what is left…Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed.” Exodus 23:10-12
The Sabbath wasn’t just about the Israelites’ rest. It was God’s way of providing for the poor, for giving even the animals a rest. His commands encompass so much more than ME, MYSELF, and I.
It requires faith to rest on that seventh day, faith that God will empower me to complete my work in the six days before and/or after. No matter how many deadlines, emails, invoice, or patients—we must choose to rest and trust the Lord to multiply our time when we come back refreshed after our Sabbath rest.
Unplanned Sabbaths
A word about unplanned Sabbaths. What if—like with my newsletters—I’ve planned a day of rest, but an unavoidable emergency invades my rest. Here are a few things to ask yourself when something threatens your Sabbath rest:
- Is it really an emergency that can’t wait? Smartphones have blurred these lines.
- Can I settle it quickly and return to a little less than best—without ruining the whole day?
- Am I able to let go of MY plan and flex to something that perhaps God has chosen as a different kind of rest? For someone fervently serving in one direction, flexibility to turn the opposite way can stretch faith to its limits.
Practical Sabbath Habits
All this Sabbath talk sounds great, but what does it look like in real life? Does it have to be a Sunday? Do we sit and stare at our Bibles all day? Should we not shop or go out to eat? For my hubby and me, Sundays don’t work as a Sabbath because, as a pastor, it’s a workday for him. His day off is Friday, so we’re working at making that our Sabbath. We’re also trying to follow some basic principles we find in Scripture—the DOs rather than the DON’Ts.
- The Shabbat meal was unique in their week. Something to look forward to that they ate only at Shabbat. We’ve chosen a specific menu that we will eat each Sabbath—and only that day. Mouth-watering dishes we REALLY like and represent “favorite” things.
- Everything about the furnishings in the Tabernacle were sacred, holy, and again—unique. The incense could only be burned in the Tabernacle. Only the holy fire could be burned on its altar. These things weren’t holy in themselves, but they were special because they helped the people commune with Yahweh. Hubby and I are choosing an activity (or two) that we ONLY do on the Sabbath. It may be something as simple as putting together a puzzle or woodworking or gardening. But it will be something we do together and something we do NO OTHER TIME than on the Sabbath.
- I’m also considering choosing a special Bible that I save to read only on the Sabbath. Perhaps a different translation than I’m used to reading.
By focusing on what I will DO to celebrate BEING in God’s presence—without gripping my agenda too tightly—I am able to return to my calling after the Sabbath with renewed fervor and a healthy flexibility. I’m a little more reasonable when God “gives and takes away” as He knows best. (Admittedly, I still HATE it when we have technical issues with the newsletter!☹️)
Comments 12
I needed to read this! Along with this practice, I am praying that God will give me better professional boundaries at work. This reminds me that my “word” for the New Year is “near” and oh my goodness, God has been opening up doors for input into my spiritual life that is encouraging my time in his presence to draw “near”, knowing that in his presence is healing (not just in the absence of pain, but in the presence of Immanuel). Clicking on your newsletter to read this blog entry has planted another seed. Thanks for the blog post!
Author
So thankful the Lord ministered to you this morning, Natalie. He’s so faithful to speak when we’re listening! Blessings as you move with Him along the path He’s leading you.
Dear Mesu,
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed reading Isaiah’s Daughter. I could hardly wait to read it. I delved into studying about the Kings of Judah and Israel after reading Isaiah’s Daughter. On the Prophecy Today website they showed that a coin was found that linked Hezekiah to Isaiah.
I can understand about getting so busy that time with God slips away. My pastor once said that a person could be so heavenly minded that they could be no earthly good. It’s easy to over do it with good works that can really put a strain on a person. I read the following book that really made an impact on me regarding the Sabbath. The gift of rest : rediscovering the beauty of the Sabbath / Joe Lieberman ; with David Klinghoffer ; in conjunction with OU Press To spend the Sabbath relaxing in God’s presence and take a break from all the busyness and rush of life. I have enjoyed my Sunday’s much more ever since.
Blessings to you Mesu! Looking forward to your next book.
Author
Hi Kathy!
I’m thrilled you enjoyed ISAIAH’S DAUGHTER! I saw the archaeological coin discovery in Jerusalem as well, linking Hezekiah with Isaiah and was so excited. What perfect timing, right?! LOL! And thanks for recommending the book by Joe Lieberman. I’ve heard of it. Sounds fabulous!
Thank you for this image of Shabbat and a day of rest as a Christian in our times. You have provoked thought for me. I like that the meal is the same (less planning) but foods you really like. And having something you do together that is only for then sets it aside.
Our lives often have guests on Sunday to share a meal or to go out for one. This can honor God and reach out to, say, those who are new to our congregation. We did this recently and the couple said no one had ever invited them over in their previous church. A big pot of soup and cornbread was our meal that day.
Blessings for sharing your life.
Author
Hi Annette!
Isn’t it amazing that a seemingly small gesture–and act of simple obedience–can mean so much. A little obedience to an omniscient God makes life suddenly smoother and exceedingly blessed! Continued blessing on you, too, my friend!
This is a wonderful message. Thank you for sharing all of your thoughts about the Sabbath rest. I have struggled with trying to figure out how to honor it ever since I accepted Christ as my Lord.
Author
Hi Debora!
It’s difficult to fit some of those OT concepts into our NT faith, but as we learn to read the Bible as one beautiful book, one story of our redemption, things become clearer. So glad it helped!
Ah Mesu, yet again your thoughts and vulnerability and openness, for the world to see, have brought revelation to my heart and mind. I will make my own Sabbath more intentional and meaningful now.
A Sabbath meal with Jewish /Jerusalem friends, back in the late 80s, kind-of put me ‘off’ this kind of day as it was strictly according to their laws, and I couldn’t even knock on their door or press the doorbell! And more restrictions.
But your ideas and values touch me. I’ll ask God now what He’d like me to do. Thanks v.much.
Author
Hi Jenny!
So thrilled to have opened a new conversation between you and Jesus! Love it. Enjoy the new things He’ll show you. 😉
It seems Sundays to the world are just like any other day. My husband and I try to focus on Sundays as a day of worship, then definitely naps are on the agenda. A time set aside to refresh for the week. I will be praying for you especially in the area of your newsletters. They are always interesting and something I look forward to. Keep looking up! Blessings, Linda
Author
Thanks, Linda! What a blessing to hear you and Hubby make rest a priority on your Lord’s day.