What is Rest??

Happy Sabbath Sisterhood!!

I pray today is full of rest for you. The word Sabbath literally means just that-to rest.

This morning I’m reflecting on 2 things: God’s example of rest and the commandment of it. God lead the way for us to understand the importance of rest. For those who are familiar with the story of creation (Genesis 1), we observe that God took 6 days to accomplish it. In Genesis 2: 2-3, we read these words, “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.”

I’m convinced that God knew that we would need Sabbath. He saw beforehand that our lives would become so inundated with ‘stuff’ and we would fill in every sliver of time with everything but rest. To rest means “cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength.” I believe that rest doesn’t just mean to not do anything, but it’s more proactive than the definition states. Sabbath is also reflecting on all God has done. It’s relaxation and reflection. Sabbath is not about me. It’s about Him. It’s about stilling myself to recognize the God of the universe. It’s a re-calibration of my heart and soul. It’s realigning myself to Him.

I’ve never thought about the idea that when I fail to Sabbath, I am breaking a commandment (Exodus 20:8-11). But, friends, it’s written in stone-literally! What does Sabbath look like for us? That’s a question for us to ask God individually. I am persuaded that it looks like us becoming more intentional with our time-our time with Him. I have no doubt that we will look like a different people when we begin to implement Sabbath into our lives. Keeping the Sabbath day holy is the last commandment given that pertains to our relationship with God. The rest of the 6 are about our relationship with others. I just wonder if Sabbath centers us back to God in such a way that it’s a key to better relationships with each other.

Here’s a closing thought: Sisters, God doesn’t take a Sabbath. He has no need for sleep. There is not one moment that He’s not working on our behalf. We can ‘rest’ in the assurance of that. How amazing is that?