Remembering the Sabbath
By
Brita Crouse
“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)
I have known the commandment about keeping
the Sabbath holy since I was very young, but it wasn’t until college that I
began taking it seriously. I would purposefully take a day off from homework,
usually Saturday or Sunday, and spend time developing my relationships with
others and with God.
Now, most people would be happy to take a
day off from homework... but, for me, a Dean’s List college student, it was
really difficult. If I wasn’t doing anything, I felt guilty because I knew I
had so many things to get done. However, God quickly took my perspective of the
Sabbath and turned it around, and I started to see it as a huge blessing.
In a productivity-based culture, it is hard not
to feel guilty if you take an entire
day off to rest. We are made to believe we are lazy and a detriment to society
if we are not always pushing ourselves and working harder. That is such a lie!
I have found after taking an entire day to
rest and spend time with God, I am much more productive and make better use of
my time. I also feel more rested and closer to God after intentionally taking
time to spend with Him. God didn’t give us this commandment for nothing. Even
He took a day off to rest... after creating the entire universe!
Since I’m not in college anymore, my Sabbath
practices have changed a little. Instead of giving up homework, now I try to
stay off of Facebook and email. I’ll take a nap, to give my body physical rest.
I spend quality time with my family. I make a point to tell my employers that
Sundays are off-limits for working. I take bike rides or go for a run to enjoy
God’s creation. And, most importantly, I take a large portion of the day to
spend time with God, the One who allows me rest.
I’m definitely not perfect with my Sabbath
practices, but I can notice a huge difference in my attitude and work ethic
when I feel well-rested, not only physically, but mentally and spiritually as
well.
Rest in God’s presence and He will restore
your spirit!
GOING DEEPER:
1.
Practice the Sabbath for the next month. Make a list of differences you
notice in your attitude and level of productivity.
2.
What are things you can give up one day out of the week to help you keep
the Sabbath holy?
FURTHER READING:
Brita
recently graduated from Taylor University with a degree in Psychology, has been
attending Oakwood
for sixteen years, and is currently a helper for Oakwood’s Quest 56.
