I am learning how to create an atmosphere of rest. I am making space for life-giving activities amidst all the things that my weekly schedule holds. I tend to be overly productive and not very fun. But each step I take toward resting well is a healthy step in the right direction.
As I wrestle with these ideas I have come across some questions from others. I hope that my answers help point you in a direction to think about your perspective on Sabbath.
Practical Questions about Sabbath
Question #1: Do you think that Sabbath is a dusty old practice only old religious people have time for?
No, actually I don’t. I believe that we all need to find rest and the busier our lives are the more we need it. Rest brings us back to ourselves. It reminds us who we are and Whose we are. When we slow down we can hear the gentle voice of God calling us to Him. Showing us how we are loved. Healing our broken places and messy edges. Then we fill up and we are ready to face the week. It does not take away from our lives. It is the foundation for all of it.
Question #2: How would you define Sabbath?
The heart of Sabbath is REST and RESTORATION. Really at the root of all of this is trusting the One who made us and the One who holds all things together. He has called us to this form of resistance to our culture and the way we have been wired. It does not come from an excuse of laziness, but from trust. Sabbath is taking a break from consuming, working, and toil.
Sabbath: “sab’-ath (the root shabhath in Hebrew means “to desist,” “cease,” “rest”)The Sabbath was the day on which man was to leave off his secular labors and keep a day holy to Yahweh.”
(from this Blue Letter Bible article)
Question #3: What traditions and family patterns have you experienced on the weekends?
The weekends were about chores and cleaning the house when I was growing up. Then, I would find pockets of time to read and play outside. My dad would work out in the garage and my mom would spend time by herself. We didn’t make fancy food or do anything super notable. Often my parents would be working. I remember having lots of quiet time in my room.
These patterns have followed me into adulthood.
Question #4: When you think about rest do you think about Sabbath or a vacation?
I used to think that rest only happened on a vacation. Being an adult meant you have to go full speed all the time without stopping. Then you stop for vacation, everything is peaceful and wonderful, and then you keep going at full capacity. I don’t know where I got these ideas but that is completely wrong.
I now see vacations as a time for adventure with my family and exploring new places. Not for quiet and relaxing. (Although sometimes I get lucky and that does happen.) I discovered after having kids that vacations are complicated and a lot of work. They no longer could serve that “escape mentality”.
Now when I think of the word rest I think of Sabbath. I think of reading a book with a cup of coffee and no agenda. I picture making a meal in my kitchen with the windows open and music playing. I think of taking a long walk and the row of mesquite trees in the grass field at the end of my street.
Question #5: What have you read about Sabbath?
So many awesome books! And I have a stack on my shelf waiting to be read. See this link for titles and categories (What Does Sabbath Mean? What is it?)
{I would love to hear what you are reading about Sabbath and Rest. Please send me your list.🙂}
Questions for You:
What ideas pop up when you think about the word Sabbath? Why?
What did your weekends look like when you were a kid?
What do you think about when you hear the word rest?
What are you reading about rest and Sabbath?
Here is another amazing resource: Podcast – Fight Hustle, End Hurry episode #5
– John Mark and Jeff chat about Sabbath. What it is, what it isn’t, and why it’s important to followers of Jesus.
I have to fight with the constant feeling that I “should” be doing something productive. My inner task master does not rest.
I think one of the reasons I find Sabbath and rest so fascinating is that my natural bent is so far away from that. My natural tendencies lean into production, business, and moving tasks forward.
I have a hard time relaxing at home because all the tasks are around me. I feel like I “should” be constantly doing something productive. But being out in public is exhausting to me as an introvert so basically, I am always on. Resting takes work for me.🙂
I hope that my answers to these questions help you. We are each on our own journey in discovering Sabbath Rest. Really at the root of all of this is trusting the One who made us and the One who holds all things together. He has called us to this form of resistance to our culture and the way we have been wired. May Jesus guide you as you learn more about abiding and resting in Him.
Know that I am praying for you.
You are not on this complicated journey alone!
Have a restful weekend! – April
P.S. – Please see my next Q + A article for more Sabbath questions answered.
Have you ever wondered:
- Is there something wrong with productivity and getting things done?
- What if Sabbath was not about what you do but about the mindset you have?
- Didn’t Sabbath come out of slavery? Why do we still want to make time for that?
- Who do you want to spend your restful time with?
- Did Jesus ever take time off or observe the Sabbath?
- Does God really care what I do on the weekends? Or is that just weird religious people who do?
Photos from: Rob Wingate, Sixteen Miles Out, Andrew Ebrahim, on Unsplash