This week we are thinking about rest, and it may be an unusual time to choose that topic: this is the new year! Full of potential. Full of possibilities! We are motivated and determined and ready to work hard at making this a better year!
As I mentioned last time, though, the Spirit whispered to me that I just need to rest in Him. We recently touched on the story of creation, but I'd like to linger there today. Let's look at these two verses:
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 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, NIV)
As we said a couple of weeks ago, God rested after creating the world and all of its inhabitants. Our Father God, Who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, rested. No, He didn't NEED to rest; He did that so He would set an example for us that taking a break from work is not only important -- it's necessary for humans!
Also in the Pentateuch, we read that God blessed that seventh day and made it holy. Look at the words in Exodus:
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 For six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath of the Lord your God; on it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male slave or your female slave, or your cattle, or your resident who stays with you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and everything that is in them, and He rested on the seventh day; for that reason the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Exodus 20:8-11, NASB)
God went into detail here, to make things clear for Moses (and for us). This repetition of the concept means that God wants us to remember that resting is crucial for our mental, emotional, and spiritual health, not just for our physical well-being. God created work. He also created rest. The seventh day is intended to be kept holy by refraining from unnecessary work. Now, that doesn't mean that we need to obsess over it like the legalistic scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' day . . .
But it does mean that Sundays need to be kept for faith and for family. Years ago, that was standard operating procedure even for those who were not devoted to faith. Sunday was a day that was set aside. It was different. Over time, though, the world has encouraged us to go shopping, to dine out, and to even do chores on Sundays. After all, Saturdays are filled with soccer games, recitals, football games and more - we just HAVE to mow the lawn or clean house on Sunday, since it's our only day to catch up on work around the house!
I truly believe that there are circumstances and situations when we must do "everyday" things on Sunday. I get that. And I believe, too, that our Father God understands. But I also feel that we are called to live contrary to the world when it interferes with divine law. I believe that we honor God when we try gradually to reclaim our Sundays; when we try to make Sunday a blessed and holy day for ourselves and our families. Attend a local church service. Put off an extra activity and post a reminder for getting it done on Monday. Have a nice, leisurely meal. Pray. Take a nap.
It will help to think about what is actually necessary for that day. "Extra" things like grocery shopping or a sporting event can be set aside -- though we can't set aside cooking or washing up those dishes, which we kinda must do even on Sunday. (Grin) Sunday will become a day of rest that we look forward to every week.
What are your thoughts about resting on Sunday?
It occurs to me on Sunday what I should be not doing. :-) Having been a 12 hour shift rotation person with one weekend a month off, (I was paid well) and so much overtime...I'm afraid it was impossible. That was sad.
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