Shabbat 2

Just saying, “The Sabbath day is a special day and should be observed” does not necessarily correlate into a meaningful and proper celebration. I don’t advocate a certain day, but some day or time during the week should be set aside to allow God to work through our cessation of work. Unfortunately, for most traditional churches, Sunday seems to be busier than other days. For those on staff or in charge of ministries there is the running around to make things ready. Then after church we rush home for lunch and maybe a quick nap before returning to the church for meetings and another service. This is not the picture of rest found in the Old Testament. They finished preparations ahead of time so that they could just enjoy being in one another’s company to celebrate God’s faithfulness.

Rob Bell discusses this concept in his book Velvet Elvis:

“The Christian life is not all about work all of the time. There are moments in our spirituality when we don’t work, but we play, rest, eat, tell stories, and you don’t worry that you aren’t earning your keep. These moments, which are commanded by God, are those times when we remind ourselves that God loves us not because of what we do, but because we are His creation.

Sabbath is taking a day a week to remind myself that I did not make the world and that it will continue to exist without my efforts.
Sabbath is a day when my work is done, even if it isn’t.
Sabbath is a day when my job is to enjoy. Period.
Sabbath is a day when I am fully available to myself and those I love most.
Sabbath is a day when I remember that when God made the world, he saw that it was good.
Sabbath is a day when I produce nothing.
Sabbath is a day when I remind myself that I am not a machine.
Sabbath is a day when at the end I say, ‘I didn’t do anything today,’ and I don’t add, ‘and I feel so guilty.’
Sabbath is a day when my phone is turned off, I don’t check my email, and you can’t get ahold of me.”

As this concept relates to the church, I think that if Sunday is going to be our Sabbath Day, a few things need to take place. First and foremost—NO MEETINGS! Meetings are necessary for planning, casting vision, and running the church. However, the become burdensome when placed on a day when we just want to rest and receive the peace of God. Secondly—no unnecessary activities. Just as meetings are burdensome, extra activities cause the same sort of drain on our spirits. If you are on staff or have responsibilities, get them done ahead of time (i.e. prepare lessons, finish the PowerPoint, get the materials set up, etc.)

Finally, and most importantly, time must be set aside to review God’s continuing presence in our lives. Whether in a worship service, counting our blessings around the table before we eat, taking time to be out in nature, time of meditation, or even just resting in a hammock, it is necessary for our spirits to stop and turn our focus on God. It can be done communally or individually, but it must be done. Though more convenient to do on Sunday, we should not be bound into certain rituals or even days. Remember—the day is supposed to be liberating.

So set aside time every week to simply be in God’s presence to extol His character and His actions in this world. He deserves it. We need it. Shabbat Shalom—Sabbath Peace.