I've been thinking about something and wanted to share my thoughts with you. I am not looking at this in a legalistic way, or telling anyone what they should do or should not do, or when they should do it. I am NOT trying to rattle cages. Most of us learn as we go and do what we choose to do anyway. Every person has their own personal relationship with the CREATOR GOD and MESSIAH, so please remember, I don't argue, tell other people off, or force any of my own ways on another. I do have my opinion about what day I believe is the Sabbath (I consider the 7th day as the Sabbath. I also attend 1st day services, I also attend services other days of the week from time to time, and I know the Messiah is REST). I have an opinion about a lot of things, but this blog is just a thought, mostly for people who do not know they really, really would benefit from taking at least a day for rest--true rest.
I think the CREATOR GOD made the Sabbath for man. That is what the scriptures say. Apparently, HE KNEW we needed this rest, even if we don't realize it. He sure knows more than I claim to! I know the Messiah is PEACE and REST (which can also mean Sabbath), but I think our physical, mental, and emotional health suffers when we refuse to take a real break from routine and work.
Why is it scary to think about slowing down or stopping one day a week. Actually, I believe a person can be more productive the other six days a week, after they have a day to really REST. Go to services, remember our Creator and Messiah, listen to HIS voice, but do all with REST and PEACE. Many times this is not the case.
Something interesting to ponder. We are all so busy, rushed, stressed, expected to perform no matter what, and I think you get what I am saying. We just never take the time to stop. Often, we push, push, push until we are completely burned out! There is no joy or peace in all the hectic "running about". I think that church work is good, very good. Services are good, very good. Just don't get so overloaded in "activity" that you burn out on all of it.
Many people are afraid to observe a Sabbath day, afraid they won't do it perfectly. I suggest, don't worry about resting, just rest, don't worry that you may not be doing everything perfectly, just try it if you have not. Then as time goes on, you may find you actually look forward to having this time to "BE still and KNOW that I am GOD". We usually are too busy in our minds thinking ahead what we must do, to even be still, really still. I'll bet even some of your appliances would love one day a week to rest! :) I firmly believe if you just try it, you will find your next six days might go a bit better. What I am speaking of in this blog is rest, where some NEVER rest, period, when it really gets down to it, they do not rest. Also consider the depth that one can truly rest, be reflective, and/or be involved in services of their choice. It's wonderful if you fellowship or hear teaching EVERY day of the week, so I am certainly not implying there should be no church attendance and/or fellowship. But many beginners don't do that anyway. Also, I am not encouraging using rest as a means to avoid ever growing. But, resting where there seem to be no rest, is a start!
Many times, a new believer is pretty overwhelmed by life to begin with and with trying to learn everything new. Perhaps there is someone that you are witnessing to that does not attend services yet or ever stop for a moment. Perhaps if they take a day, even to sleep all day, it could be so welcome and beneficial--just for someone to understand or encourage them to just stop and rest, without all the rules and regulations, that perhaps they can be more receptive to God's voice and leading on the continuing path. They may be more receptive to learning, listening, and researching, period. Please consider accepting the gift of REST, giving encouragement to other's to consider it, and give thanks and glory to God, for it. In a way, I suppose it's selfish, since we do reap the benefits of rest. We feel better and our bodies can heal.
We humans have been given a valuable gift, permission to REST, that the Creator God BLESSED, made holy, NAMED the Sabbath, and chose to be an example HIMSELF(even though HE may not need physical rest--He did rest). The MESSIAH did observe the Sabbath, also. (Now, here again. I know it's in the Ten Commandments, Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy, but I'm not talking about that right now. Some believe you follow all ten, some say only two, and some believe none of them apply today. That is not what this blog is about.) I think if God ever implied He thought the Sabbath was good, then to keep it, even if it IS not expected or especially if it IS expected , our following HIS example and doing it because HE said it was GOOD, is showing HIM honor. I think He will Bless that HONORABLE act. AND we get the needed time to really rest ourselves.
We do serve a wonderful, thoughtful, merciful God, who chose to give us this gift.
If you do not take a day for rest at the present time or you feel your current "hectic pace" leaves you feeling as if you never truly rest, I am going to suggest you check out a book. It's called Sabbath Keeping, Finding Freedom in the Rhythms of Rest. It is by Lynne M. Babb. She has a marvelous way of expressing herself on a very important subject.
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