The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
Mark 2:27 NKJV
As we continue with a Time of Reflection this month, it’s becoming very apparent that one of the areas that I'm lacking is Rest. As the Busy Christian Sports Mom, the one thing impacting my ability to rest is being “busy”.
Juggling being a mom, running a household, my corporate gig, my writing, Faith-Filled Moms ministry and weekly podcast (have you joined us for Moms Night In yet?) – and now the craziness of club volleyball: practices, weekend tournaments, and college recruiting and visits – how can I find time to REST?
We don’t have to look far to find rest in the Bible. After God spent 6 days creating this amazing world that we live in, we see in Genesis 2:2-3 that even God rested after a long week of work:
On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.
Genesis 2:2-3 NLT
I’ve never wondered why God rested on that 7th day. Was He tired? Did He need to recover after all six days of amazing creative work? Given the fact that He is the All-Mighty and All-Powerful God, I don’t think so. So, what was the purpose of that 7th day of rest?
Throughout my life, I have tried my best to follow the 10 Commandments…well except the 4th one:
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exodus 20:8 NKJV
If we discuss with people following different religious practices, we will find very different interpretations of the Sabbath. So, I’m not here to discuss specifically what Sabbath is and isn't. I'm on a journey to understand why God created Sabbath and its purpose for my life.
God didn’t have to stop and rest; He could have kept creating on Day 7. Maybe He stopped to appreciate and enjoy what He created. Yes, we have the ability to work 7 days a week if we wanted. But when we would enjoy the fruits of our labor? When would we renew our minds and rest our bodies? We are not machines that can just go and go and go. Sabbath is a gift that allows us to Stop. To Rest. To Reflect. To Renew. To Enjoy. To Fellowship.
Research shows that rest is truly needed for our well-being – physically, mentally, and emotionally. If we truly want to be the best versions of ourselves and live the life God created us for, we need to make time for rest.
So, I've decided to start honoring the Sabbath. Starting at 6 pm on Saturday through 6 pm on Sunday, I'm eliminating all forms of work as best I can. It is a time for me to rest, reflect, spend quality time with family, and draw closer to God.
Instead of focusing on the rules and regulations of Sabbath (a Google search provides unlimited information on man’s rules about Sabbath), the most important thing is that I’m taking the first step to honor this practice of rest that must be important to God, since He made it the 4th rule for His people after bringing them out of slavery.
As I rest in God, I know He’ll give me the strength, wisdom, and insight I’ll need for the week ahead.
If you find yourself in need of rest today, take some time to consider how you can start practicing Sabbath, in whatever way works best for you.
How rested are you each week? If you feel like you need a Sabbath in your life, pray and ask God to show you how you can practice this period of resting in your life.