I’ve been pondering the idea of rest, of the Sabbath, of balance. I began writing this blog and then found myself in this beautiful setting for free. How amazing! I love when I’m working on an idea and life magnifies it or helps me understand it better.
As I’ve been trying to understand the importance of rest, I was struck by this story:
When Jesus had been killed, Joseph of Arimathea wrapped Jesus’ body in a linen cloth and laid him in his own tomb.
“As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.” – Luke 23:55-56 NLT
Wait, what?! Can you imagine watching Jesus die after being part of his ministry for three years? All those miracles he’d performed, being constantly in the presence of his incredible love… He dies, and instead of taking care of his body right away, you honor the commandment of resting, of taking a Sabbath?! I’m pretty sure I would have continued with caring for his body. I’d make an exception. Wouldn’t you?
The Sabbath day of rest is the fourth commandment given by God to the Israelites in the wilderness. When he gives the commandment, he uses creation as his example, “For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” – Exodus 20:11 NIV
Our current American society seems very far from this commandment. Even though most people do have a weekend, they very rarely use it for truly resting.
You can dismiss the idea of a Sabbath, saying we are no longer bound to the law of the Israelites because Jesus changed the covenant. But, Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Here’s where I find arrogance at work. Who am I to think that I don’t need a full day of rest each week if God has demonstrated the need himself? Am I stronger than God? More able to withstand a workload? Do I think I can do more myself by working every day, instead of seeking God and letting him work in my life?
I have not mastered taking a Sabbath – so this post is for me too. However, I have had many weeks where I have rested and focused on God. This is what I’ve seen happen when I do rest.
1. God straightens out my priorities
When I keep my nose to the grindstone all the time, sometimes I have a hard time seeing and hearing what God is trying to show me. I get so busy doing work, even sometimes “God’s work,” that I lose sight of God. This never ends well.
Frequently, I head down paths that I never needed to head down and I waste all kinds of time and energy.
When I give God my first – the first day of the week, the first hour in each day – He sets me on the right path. He helps me order my days and my thoughts. He gives me energy and clarity of mind so that my work is efficient and productive.
2. My Patience Increases
I’m just plain nicer when I have allowed rest in my life. When I start working all the time, I just get angry.
Does this happen to anyone else?
As a homeschooling mom and a wife, I need a lot of patience. When I start getting over-worked, over-tired, etc. my brain just doesn’t work well. Everything seems harder, even if the task is actually simple. Then, because everything seems harder, I get even more tired. It is a vicious cycle.
The only thing I’ve found that truly breaks that cycle is spending good amounts of time in God’s presence. Taking a Sabbath, having time in the morning to read the Bible and pray, having worship music on throughout the day… All these things create rest within my days and weeks. They also keep my focus on God, the very best place for my focus to be.
3. I’m Reminded Who Actually Keeps the World Spinning
Is anyone else a control freak, or is it just me? Does anyone else think, “If I don’t get that (insert any task) done right now, everything is going to start to unravel.” Maybe it’s me, maybe it’s society, maybe it’s the red-horned guy himself, but somewhere the lie creeps in that without me working all the time, the world just might fall apart.
Now I know some of you are actually about the business of saving the world, but even you can take a break and rest.
I promise the world will not fall apart! I promise you do not have to carry the weight of the world or even the weight of your own little world.
God is in control.
Isn’t that good news!?!
God is in control.
I know this is true, yet sometimes I still think I need to help him out a bit.
Let’s all master the art of letting go of control.
Let’s be vessels where God’s power can flow through us, but where we allow Him to be in control.
I know for a fact that He is better at it than I am.
Now go take a break – You need it and God loves it when you come rest in Him!
2 comments for “Commanded to Rest”