Some R & R

The importance of Sabbath

Some one once said, "If. You don't come apart, you'll come apart."     So Wendy and I needed a break from a busy fall and winter of ministry and thanks to some wonderful folks in our church we were able to  obtain a condo in Florida for a week at a pretty reasonable price.  

I seem to know only one speed and that is flat open, peddle to the metal.    I work hard and when I get a chance, play hard.    The other day, we  rented a speed boat  and spent several hours bombing around Tampa Bay.  Full throttle of course.  They don't call them piddle around boats, they call them speed boats.   Only when you are going full tilt do they level out and give you a relatively smooth ride.  That is until you  run across the wake of a really big boat, then you can take a little air.    We were fortunate enough to have a dolphin give a little demonstration of it's jumping abilities right close to our boat.

As a high energy guy,  I've had to learn the importance of sabbath and how to practice it in my daily life.    As I've already  already indicated

As a high energy guy,  I've had to learn the importance of sabbath and how to practice it in my daily life.    As I've already  already indicated,  I usually operate wide open and slowing down is not easy for me.    Yet the truth is that God did not intend for us to operate wide open all the time.   In fact,  He built the concept of Sabbath right into the Creation Order.    When God had created everything, He saw that it was very good and rested on the seventh day.   So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. (Genesis 2:3)

We often think of the Sabbath as  applying only to the Jewish people.  Of course it was part of their covenant relationship with God as His choosen people but the idea of Sabbath  as part of the Creation Order is meant for all of us for all time.   We just were not designed to go flat out all the time.   This is important for us to remember in  a driven culture like ours where we feel we must always be productive.   The fact is that God has designed us for Sabbath.   We are designed to  need to come apart, lest we come apart.

Even Jesus, in the midst of His busy, and essential ministry, had to come apart to recharge His physical and spiritual energy.    In Mark chapter one Jesus has begun Him ministry.  He is assembling His team of  Apostles and is conducting a heavy ministry of healing, casting out demons, and teaching the gospel.  And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.  And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1)    Even the Son of God while on earth recognized the need of Sabbath.  He needed to recharge His physical and spiritual batteries.  

There is much more we could say about Sabbath but there are two important aspects that I want to mention here.    1) Physical Rest    and  2) Spiritual Refreshment

1. Physical  Rest
Our bodies just were not meant to go flat out 7 days a week and that's part of the reason God mandated one day in seven as a day of rest.    At one time our culture here in North America.    Stores closed on Sundays,  businesses ceased to operate and there was no school.     Today, it is vastly different.     Culture goes flat open 24/7 and to me at least,  it seems like our whole culture is tired.

Each of us ought to seek to slow down at least one day a week.      It may not always be possible to do that on Sunday  (The Jewish regulated Sabbath in Saturday)  but there should be one day a week for rest.  

Of course it is a bonus when you can take a week like we just did to unplug (literally.    My cell phone was turned off and only for emergencies.   I limited internet use to finding our way around and for only important communications.    I only opened  essential email.   Three to be exact).      We enjoyed some wonderful activity but were careful not to busy ourselves all day long.     Sometimes we sat on the deck, took a walk or read.       A home it always seems like we are in a sense of rush running from one event to another.     Sabbath meant we had a much lighter agenda that gave our bodies time to rest.

2. Spiritual Refreshment
The other aspect of Sabbath is spiritual refreshement.     The opportunity to slow down, to reflect on life and commune with God is a vital aspect of Sabbath.     Sometimes you just have to slow down to do that.     I know for a fact that business in ministry can be detrimental to your spiritual well being as I know that business in the pursuits of life can also be.      Sabbath means you take time to slow down and listen to the voice of God.

This week for us was not a prayer or spiritual retreat,  it was a vacation,  but slowing down did allow us time to reflect,  to think about where our lives are going, and to spend some extra time in unhurried communion with God and reflection on God's  Word.    

The Sabbath my friend was meant for you and I.   It's not  a legal requirement of the believer,  neither is in an unnecessary option.     God instructed us to keep the Sabbath because He knows we need it.   It is good for our souls,  good for our walk with Him and good for our bodies.