I started Sabbath around September last year. Resources such as John Mark comer's Ruthless Elimination of Hurry and his podcasts (Praciting the Way) on the topic, Bible Project's video and resources on Sabbath, have been very helpful. It's like you said, a war. For me, I do Friday evening to saturday evening and Saturday night as I "enter" back into the world, is actually the hardest, I'm faced with reality and brokenness (my own and of the world in general), and it's as if the whole previous 24hrs have gone waste. But come the following week, my body, mind and soul now long for that rest and transitions are not so jarring. Yes there are weeks when I've been bored on Sabbath, but learning and unlearning various rhythms, having that space to just 'be', has become transformational.
I recently heard a sermon that gave me a new perspective on Sabbath. In the Creation account in Genesis, God was working and creating for 6 days and rested (and as you point out “creating” peace and tranquillity) on the 7th day, but humans only existed for one day and then were told to rest on the next day. I have always treated Sabbath as something I must “earn” by working for a whole week, but the truth is, God asks me to rest before I work, create and generate. This reframes the importance of Sabbath for me! It is worth fighting for this rest!
I started implementing Sabbath principles into my life as a result of listening to some of John Mark Comer's teachings on it. My story is a bit unique because I have spent 7 of the last 9 years (from age 23-30) fighting two rounds of a terminal illness, so my awareness of my need for rest is probably a little different than most people. However, on the other side of God healing me a second time, I have found it easier to embrace my limitations. I spend a lot of time trying to "catch up/make up" for the time I felt I lost being sick after the first healing. My pastor helped me see that those years still counted and were used by God, even if they looked different than what is 'typical' of other young adults. I am grateful for the work God has done in my heart and the intimacy of my relationship with Jesus that was born out of an extended period of extreme suffering.
A powerful prayer has been asking God to keep me at the "pace of grace." I was in a wedding last weekend which meant that I didn't get my typical amount of rest. I missed my rhythm of a long, leisurely walk with Jesus and 'being still' with God. It did require me to be dependent on Him in a new way and He gave me the strength to fulfill my commitment. This weekend I am returning to my regular rhythm of unhurried living, and I am so grateful for it!
Thanks for writing this piece and being faithful with the work God has given you! I have learned so much from you! I am the assistant to the upcoming lead pastor at my church and you two were in the same doctoral program! ✨
I started Sabbath around September last year. Resources such as John Mark comer's Ruthless Elimination of Hurry and his podcasts (Praciting the Way) on the topic, Bible Project's video and resources on Sabbath, have been very helpful. It's like you said, a war. For me, I do Friday evening to saturday evening and Saturday night as I "enter" back into the world, is actually the hardest, I'm faced with reality and brokenness (my own and of the world in general), and it's as if the whole previous 24hrs have gone waste. But come the following week, my body, mind and soul now long for that rest and transitions are not so jarring. Yes there are weeks when I've been bored on Sabbath, but learning and unlearning various rhythms, having that space to just 'be', has become transformational.
I recently heard a sermon that gave me a new perspective on Sabbath. In the Creation account in Genesis, God was working and creating for 6 days and rested (and as you point out “creating” peace and tranquillity) on the 7th day, but humans only existed for one day and then were told to rest on the next day. I have always treated Sabbath as something I must “earn” by working for a whole week, but the truth is, God asks me to rest before I work, create and generate. This reframes the importance of Sabbath for me! It is worth fighting for this rest!
I started implementing Sabbath principles into my life as a result of listening to some of John Mark Comer's teachings on it. My story is a bit unique because I have spent 7 of the last 9 years (from age 23-30) fighting two rounds of a terminal illness, so my awareness of my need for rest is probably a little different than most people. However, on the other side of God healing me a second time, I have found it easier to embrace my limitations. I spend a lot of time trying to "catch up/make up" for the time I felt I lost being sick after the first healing. My pastor helped me see that those years still counted and were used by God, even if they looked different than what is 'typical' of other young adults. I am grateful for the work God has done in my heart and the intimacy of my relationship with Jesus that was born out of an extended period of extreme suffering.
A powerful prayer has been asking God to keep me at the "pace of grace." I was in a wedding last weekend which meant that I didn't get my typical amount of rest. I missed my rhythm of a long, leisurely walk with Jesus and 'being still' with God. It did require me to be dependent on Him in a new way and He gave me the strength to fulfill my commitment. This weekend I am returning to my regular rhythm of unhurried living, and I am so grateful for it!
Thanks for writing this piece and being faithful with the work God has given you! I have learned so much from you! I am the assistant to the upcoming lead pastor at my church and you two were in the same doctoral program! ✨