Are you on the run all the time? Does every day seem to be a hustle and bustle day? Do you feel constantly tired and worn down? Does your life seem to be out of control, chaotic, and very busy? Have you taken time to rest?
Our modern American culture is one of busyness. We are always on the go. We are always busy doing something. If we have a spare minute, we fill with one thing or another. Making time to rest, truly rest in quiet solace allowing ourselves to unwind is nearly unheard of.
Many have believed the lie that not working a job for a couple days per week means we are resting. Not so. Just because we are not working a job does not mean we are resting. Often, we are busier on our days off than the days we work. We fill our days off with family events, sporting events, sightseeing, yard work, or you fill in the blank. When we are sitting at home in the evenings, we fill the couple of hours we have after dinner with watching the television, researching on our computers, or playing on our phones. Rest is not occurring.
God told the Israelites and tells us today to take one day of each week to rest. For the Israelites, it was the seventh day, Saturday, that was a sabbath day. They were to rest. They were to not only not work their fields or open their shops, but they were to stay home and rest. It was to be a day to allow both the body and mind to relax and recuperate from six days of toiling.
God knows better than we do what we need. He knows we need a day of rest. We need to not only rest our physical bodies, but we also need to rest our minds. We need renewal of mind and spirit as much as we need renewal of energy. In our Christian tradition, the sabbath has become Sunday. If we put God’s instruction into action, we will not only find rest but will be more productive the other six days of the week.
I pray we all choose to follow God’s instruction. I pray we decide to make time for true rest. I pray each one of us seek renewal of spirit through worship and renewal of mind by setting down our gadgets. Follow God’s instruction. Make time to rest. Renew your body, mind, and spirit. Set aside your electronic gadgets.
Exodus 20:8-9 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work.
Marty Pressey 