A Sabbath To The Lord Your God
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.”
- Exodus 20:8-10a
As I write this, it’s the first official day of summer. Western New York has great summers (no matter how short they seem to us at times). It doesn’t get too hot for my taste, and we don’t get humidity or storms like other parts of the country. Summer means many things to us, including sunshine, outdoor activities, and usually a little slower pace.
Another thing that regularly happens in summer is vacations. It’s critical to get away from our routines and experience times of rest and renewal. We often forget that God gives us the opportunity for such times regularly with our Sabbath. Vacations and sabbaths aren’t the same, though. The Common English Bible explains that Sabbath is related to the Hebrew word for “stop” or “break the routine.” Many of us remember the sabbath statement from the Ten Commandments in Exodus. However, it’s restated in Deuteronomy 5:12. There the Sabbath is connected to the Israelites’ time as slaves in Egypt. Since the Israelites had experienced forced labor, they should understand the value of needing to pause from constant work.
This can be a challenging idea in the U.S. in 2023. Our culture values hard work, but we may have taken that too far. In Mark 2:27 Jesus says, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Jesus was teaching that God’s law about Sabbath wasn’t intended to create new restrictions that would make life harder. I wonder if we need to broaden our understanding of that lesson for modern times. Many people now see vacations and sabbath time as burdensome. Their lives have no space for worship, focused time with God, or relationships that aren’t about work. Understand that God did not create you just to work your life away. While everyone has to fulfill their obligations and face occasional difficulties, life should be enjoyed rather than endured.
This comes from a proud workaholic. I love what I do. I am incredibly blessed to serve in the ways that God has called me. I put in a lot of hours, and I hold myself to very high standards for my work. That said, I value and guard my Sabbath time because I know I can’t be at my best without it. Sabbath allows me to focus on God in different ways. It rejuvenates my body and mind, given the hectic pace of my life. Doing things I enjoy refreshes me on every level as well.
Beyond that, a sabbath represents a sign of faith. Taking sabbath time shows that you trust God. It can be easy to believe that the world will spin out of control if your hands aren’t on the wheel. Here’s a news flash. You’re not at the wheel. There was a bumper sticker that read, “If God is your copilot, then you’re in the wrong seat.” Remember that God is sovereign, eternal, and almighty. You are not. Trust God, and let your mind, body, heart, and soul know God’s peace.
Remember, the Sabbath is about God, not just about rest and fun. God rested on the seventh day after creation. That didn’t mean that God was tired. God doesn’t get tired. God stopped working and appreciated the creation. We should pause to appreciate God as well as what God is doing in and around us. If you don’t practice Sabbath regularly, start now. The Sabbath isn’t just a good idea; it’s a commandment. Beyond enjoying this summer season, I hope that you find the rest and renewal you need every time you pause for Sabbath.
Pastor Scott
