Preparing to go on vacation takes a lot of work. Does anyone else have to finish all the laundry, clean the house, and be completely caught up at work before enjoying a break? This year, my family vacation also came two days after a huge deadline at work. By the time I locked the front door and turned towards the car, mental and physical exhaustion overwhelmed me.
Once we arrived at our destination, I could have cried with relief. The months of planning and weeks of hectic last-minute preparation were worth it. After a few days of complete rest, I felt recharged and ready to go.
Although this pattern of planning before rest is common to holidays and vacations, it wasn’t until recently I applied it to honoring the Sabbath. God doesn’t want me to experience this relief from work once or twice a year. His plan is for me to experience it every seven days.
Every week I’m faced with the opportunity to rest. Actually it’s more than an opportunity. It’s a commandment from the Lord. But instead of planning for it to happen, I usually slip into a day of work. For some reason, I expect a day of rest to happen with no effort. But it never does. I need to rethink how I approach God’s commandment to rest. It requires intention for it to happen, or I’ll just use it as a catch-up day.
For years God has been gently convicting me of dishonoring His day. Although I know it’s one of the Ten Commandments, I’ve prioritized work over obedience too many times. I’ve even tried to redefine work and call it rest, as if that could fool God. The truth is, I’ve created a seven-day workweek, and neglected to plan for rest. It’s easy to find excuses not to rest: I’m a mom of five children, I enjoy ironing in front of the television, or it’s just a few work-related e-mails. Those excuses sound weak to my ears when weighed against God’s request to obey Him in something that’s pleasurable and for my own good.
I know that the Sabbath is a gift from a loving heavenly Father to His children. It is a day to breathe a sigh of relief, and rest from our labors. It is a day to soak in the companionship of those we love. It’s a day to stop creating and just receive what God wants to give me. My spirit, mind and body long for rest. To reject this healing gift hurts me and those I love. It also sets me in direct disobedience to God.
Given my tendency towards work, it will take planning for a day of Sabbath rest to happen. It will take me spreading housework throughout the week, finishing the laundry a day early and preparing meals in advance. It will take a weekly plan. But when I make the Sabbath a priority, I’m obeying one of the Ten Commandments and teaching my children to do the same.
And when my thirsty soul tastes of the refreshment of rest, I realize afresh why God asked me to honor His day.
I am guilty of the same. Physically, that day of rest is good for our body and mind. I believe, as with tithing, if we honor God with those first fruits, He blesses the remaining part far above our expectations. Wonderful reminder!
Yes, God wants us to rest every seven days. I have been known to clean all the way up to midnight on Saturday just so I can rest all day Sunday.
That’s awesome! Thank you for sharing.
That was a lovely post on rest of the Sabbath Day. I always look forward to Sunday to enjoy the activities of our Sabbath Day. We are to rest in regard to our everyday experiences. I find this day gives me an opportunity to enjoy being with family, visiting relative, writing in a journal, reading the scriptures and etc. Perhaps even take a nap.
Blessing to you for the reminder of the importance of a Sabbath day!
Our Pastor recently preached on this subject. On top of resting we should also use that day of rest as a day of reflection over our work, and how we are using it to honor and bring glory to God throughout the week.
I like your idea to prepare meals in advance. That is something I always have to “do”, COOK! Here’s something to think about….if we choose to go out to eat, are we violating someone else’s sabbath by giving them work to do? (i.e. by having a waitress serve us or a cook make our meals, regardless of whether or not they believe as we do). Someone brought this up to me, and I always wondered if that was being strictly legalistic or if there was some truth to that. Perhaps if we consider it, maybe it would be wise to stay away from creating work for others to do on the Sabbath as well as for ourselves. ?
Just a thought….
Faithfully His,
Rebecca
Galatians 5:1
Rebecca, I’ve wondered the same thing about those who work on Sunday. But I think there are many who take another day to honor as Sabbath. When I was in Budapest I toured a Jewish synagogue and they hire a Catholic to turn on and off their lights on the Sabbath. So I guess even the most strict interpretation allows for others to work on the Sabbath.
I’m usually doing something like crafting on Sundays
Once in awhile I’ll do some housework, but that is actually really relaxing for me. Hmm…this was a good post. I’m actually in the process of trying to simplify my life even further. Thanks for a very thoughtful post. Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather 
I’m sure God is delighted as we move towards honoring the Sabbath. I don’t think many of us have been taught on this so we are figuring it out together.
As I’ve studied it some, I’m coming to understand that it’s supposed to be a departure from our normal practice of work. Kind of pushing a reset button. And that’s different for all of us.
Very well said.
I too have been convicted on this topic and recently started to really honor it. Sad to say that I never knew it would take so much work. I have to tell myself – NO!
I am also finding that I have more quality time with my loved ones by giving all of me.
Totally understanding the beauty of this Commandment.
Yes – it does take more work that I ever imagined. And I still fall short – especially after a family vacation.
Our family try and keep the Sabbath, but more often than not we just let them happen rather than plan. Thank you for this beautiful reminder.