REST

You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working, even during the seasons of plowing and harvest.

Exodus 34:21

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Sometimes I feel like a pot of water simmering on a stove. Turn up the heat just a little bit higher, and I’ll start boiling over. Or at least that’s what I’m tempted to do when I feel pressured by life’s demands. Too many responsibilities, too many obstacles, and not enough energy or patience to make it through the day. Now multiply me by millions of others who are feeling similarly stressed, and it’s a wonder the world doesn’t spontaneously explod

I wonder how much of the frustration and anger we feel would disappear if we were able to build regular times of rest into our lives. What if we designated one day a week to cease from our labor so our bodies and souls had time to be renewed? We could spend the day celebrating God’s love, expressing our trust in his provision as we enjoyed a meal shared with family or friends. We could do the things that bring us peace, such as taking a walk, playing games, reading, soaking in the bath—whatever rejuvenates us rather than depletes us.

Building Sabbath times into our lives takes commitment. As Wayne Muller observes, “Sabbath is not dependent upon our readiness to stop. We do not stop when we are finished. We do not stop when we complete our phone calls, finish our project, get through this stack of messages, or get out this report that is due tomorrow. We stop because it is time to stop.

“Sabbath requires surrender,” he says. “If we only stop when we are finished with all our work, then we will never stop—because our work is never completely done.”

This week, why not give yourself a taste of Sabbath rest by reserving a day or an evening to reflect on God’s faithfulness and enjoy his blessings.

Father, give me the grace to stop and rest. Help me trust in your goodness, basking in your peace and presence.