“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 manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.” Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (NIV)
We were made to both work and rest. Contrary to the popular work ethic and belief in America, we are not machines. God has given us signs for seasons and days and years from the beginning adding the rhythm of the week with the Sabbath. He could have made a rhythmless world but in His infinite wisdom He chose to give finite humans a good habitation as He knew we would be in need of rest and refreshment. We can be so out of balance, amen? Kevin DeYoung writes: “We don’t have healthy routines. We can’t keep our feasting and fasting apart. Evening and morning have lost their feel. Sunday has lost its significance. Everything is blurred together. The faucet is a constant drip.”
Indeed, our boundaries between work and rest have blurred as we catatonically go about our days. We are in much need of setting boundaries or rest will most likely prove elusive. Learn how to turn off the work – even in the busiest seasons (perhaps even more so) - taking a day off to refresh. Amy Carmichael quipped in regard to what is refreshing: “If your activity doesn’t draw you nearer to the Lord Jesus then it is not refreshment.” We want to re-enter our work with a refreshed mind, body and spirit to spend and be spent for both the good of others and ourselves. Remember as well, it is Jesus Who beckons us to “Come to Him and He will give us rest.”
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)