Maybe it is simply the need of my soul for a new discipline of rest, maybe God stirring something bigger in our hearts collectively. Not sure yet.
It keeps coming up in conversation. Maybe because of COVID-19, maybe because the bigger crisis is discipleship, and disciples are writing and talking and preaching about it.
Maybe it is because we are all exhausted, and reading the scriptures makes us jealous for what they had that might have been lost.
I’ve heard we all kept Sabbath once. Then we didn’t. Why? Was it a shift in theology, or a cultural shift, something to embrace, something to resist?
Was it legalism or love? Baby or bath water? Was something life-giving lost when we gradually, then suddenly, ceased to cease on the seventh day?
We’re not under law, but under grace. Is Sabbath a way to place my life more under grace?
Not earning, but effort. Not for salvation, but for sanctification. Not human made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath for humanity. I heard that somewhere. The voice sounded a lot like I imagine Sabbath’s would, were it incarnated:
Place my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
I know this much for sure – I’ve been asking God why I’ve been so tired, and something I might do to receive more grace. This word keeps coming up in my spirit, in sermons, and in commonplace conversation – Sabbath.
How would we recover this long-forgotten practice? Would it bring up the baggage of an age that we don’t miss? Or would stopping, delighting, resting, communing, loving and blessing bring more of the age to come into the present age?
Would I have to do it on Sunday (would be a little tricky for a pastor), or could it be sundown on Saturday? Friday or Monday or any other day people rest from their busy ways?
Just a question. No desire to return to the spirit of legalism (though I’m inclined to the notion, my elders practiced much more out of love than obligation). Just a stirring to not do something so that I might be more refreshed, more in tune, more present, more filled with the Spirit of God.
Have you been thinking it might be time for a Sabbath?
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