Hope you were well-rested over the weekend. I was actually quite exhausted... I wonder if those of us in service actually have time to catch a breather and chill out with Jesus over the weekend?I know I am guilty of running around so much that I barely have enough time to sleep and much less spend time reading the Bible, praying or journalling. sigh.Here's a passage to remind us of the sabbatical that we ought to take each week as we were created to rest on the "seventh day".
Have you noticed how concerned God is about the Sabbath? Amidst the other nine commandments, there it is at number four: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy" (Ex 20:8). And it pops up again in 23:12. "Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work."
How is Sabbath rest built into your life? Are there regular occasions when you purposely break out of the routine of work and when you leave other mundane responsibilities to one side? On the first six days of creation God showed us that work is good, but on the seventh day he showed us how to avoid the tyranny of work.
Why do you rest? Do you only stop work because of sheer exhaustion or when others tell you to do so? Or do you recognise that rest is part of your worship? When good work is followed by good rest, we are reflecting the image of the God we meet in Genesis Chap 1.
What do you do to rest? Rest is not only ceasing to do work. And it's more than just flopping down in front of the TV. It is a chance to do different things, to explore other aspects of life and to know ourselves better. The root idea of "recreation" is that we are somehow recreated or built up afresh through diverting our attention from our usual obligations.
When do you gather with other Christians for worship? Whatever day of the week you meet, it is a Sabbath activity - a break from other responsibilities to encounter God together and let him recreate you through his Word and his Spirit.
Today and in the days ahead, reflect on this verse and make it your prayer: 'God make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.' (Psalm 51:10, The Message)
-Martin Hodson, "Closer to God"
posted by Adena
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