Last weekend I started a new bible study on the topic of Sabbath. A day of rest. The study is by Priscilla Shirer. Oddly enough when I started the study I was looking forward to creating some time to write this week. However, true to form time slipped away as my days were filled with things to do.
At work each day my calendar seemed to leave some time to write a quick article. But, as soon as the day began the time got filled. There was barely time for lunch.
After work on the way home I’d think, ok tonight I will write. But again, the evenings got filled up with making dinner, and preparing for the next day. Only to begin all over.
Can you relate? Whether you work or not, our days seem to get filled with things to do.
I try to cram everything in during the week so that on the weekends I have free time. Oddly though, that rarely happens. I can see many of you shaking your heads in agreement now. As we sit and say, “where did the time go?”
Priscilla brings to our attention that God himself took time to rest. He introduced the Sabbath on the 7th day.
“By the seventh day God completed His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it He rested from His work of creation.” Gen. 2: 2-4 HCSB
I had heard the story of creation a million times, and the day God rested. But, I never thought of it as God, on purpose, created rest. Have you? You probably have, sometimes I’m a slow learner.
On purpose. Those two words have been sitting with me. What have I done “on purpose” to create rest? To create time to spend with My Creator. To read His Word, and study. To create time to write.
Those of you that know me know I am a list person. I have a list to make a list. And, I love to check things off! Ok all my type-A people you know exactly what I am talking about. In order to create “on purpose” my Sabbath, time to write, spend alone with God, and make time for what’s important to me, I added it to my list. But. Can you guess what happened to that?
Yep. It got eaten up by the other things. Like the Israelites we have become so used to being busy that any downtime is viewed as laziness. Our jobs drive us to occupy every minute of the day, and the list could go on. You can fill in your own blank as to what fill in your day, and what/who demands your attention.
Please understand I am not saying to ignore those things, but there’s a balance. A time to step back, take a break, and rest in Him.
Busier is not better.
Being busier causes us to be:
- Tired
- Irritated
- Stressed
- Unfocused
- Unmotivated, and
- Ungrateful.
Busier is not better.
King David eve recognized that it is in God alone we find our rest. Psalm 23 is probably the most read Psalm. Every funeral I’ve ever attended has a Psalm 23 reading. After this week Psalm 23 should be a daily goal. Not one to be read at our funerals when the rest is indicating our passing. But, a rest that comes from seeking and striving to spend time with The Lord while we are still alive.
“Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life” Ps. 23:6a AMP (underline mine)
Just for today how will you *on purpose* find time for a Sabbath? A rest. To cease from doing work.
©Gentle Whisper Ministries 2016
*pictures by digopaul, aberdeenwife ,
