All Ahead 10 - Sabbath

Week 1 -- "Practicing Sabbath"

Welcome to our new series titled  “All Ahead 10”!! Recently, a lot of prayer and reflection has revealed to me that my life has been moving at a high speed due to the busyness of work and life, which is why I have not posted a new study in weeks! :( I have personally been all ahead 10! I pray this series helps you slow down and find time for God to work in your life, especially in the crazy around you. I was doing a bible study on spiritual disciplines and one of the main focuses was the practice of a Sabbath. Not only did I immediately identify I had not been practicing this discipline but I also realized I have no idea how I could do such a thing considering my current lifestyle. Not only is my job demanding but it is extremely inconsistent which makes having a routine very difficult. 

Why is the Sabbath important?

I could easily argue that the Sabbath is a necessary part of our lives just based on the number of times it is mentioned in the Bible. In only just the second chapter of scripture this practice is mentioned, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (Genesis 2:2-3)

The reason that I will argue the importance of the Sabbath is the time and space it creates in our lives to fully be in the presence of God. Life is busy and even when it is not, the devil uses all kinds of tactics to fill your time. In the book of Psalms it is written “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10) Practicing Sabbath allows us to “be still” and allow God to work. When we quiet our hearts and minds, we can focus on God and his will. 

If this argument does not work for you, simply practice the Sabbath because it is what Jesus did. Each and every one of us is called to live a life like Jesus did. “Very early in the  morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)

What will the Sabbath look like for you?

In Deuteronomy chapter 5 it is written, “‘Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do.’” (Deuteronomy 5:12-14) Where I initially struggled with this idea is, am I just supposed to lay in bed all day and sleep? That is what rest means to me. What I have learned is that this day will look different for everyone. For me it does not mean staying in my bed all day, but for someone else it may. Here are two questions to ask yourself when planning your Sabbath; how do I connect with God? and how do I feel joyful and rested? 

Start your day connecting with God and partake in whatever activities bring you joy and leave you feeling rested. Maybe you need to put away your phone for the day, or maybe you need to pick up the phone and call a family member. Maybe you need to take a day off from the gym, or maybe you need to go on a long walk with the dog. Maybe you need to catch up on sleep, or maybe you need to read your favorite book. Whatever it may be, may it bring you joy, rest, and allow you to create space to let God work in your life!! 

Discussion: 

1. How do you connect with God?

2. How do you feel joyful and rested?

3. What will Sabbath look like for you?

Prayer: 

Dear Lord, we come before you today asking for strength and guidance to help us practice the Sabbath faithfully. Please help us set aside time for rest and worship. May we approach the Sabbath with a trusting heart so that we may experience the joy that comes from this time. Please allow us to observe the Sabbath in whatever way honors you God. Amen.