Present: Sabbath

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“Busy” and “tired” seem to be worn proudly like badges of honor on our scout sash. But where is the meaning in busy, in tired? As I have really thought through the “why” behind my desire to be present I’ve started to ask more about the “how?”

How do I stop the busy? How do I rest and refresh so I’m not tired? What practices can I begin to develop so that I can be present? Two places the Bible talks about Sabbath in are Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. First, we are called to “remember the Sabbath and keep it holy,” and then we are given the example of how God created and then rested. God did not need to rest, but he did.

Why did God create? So he could love and enjoy His creation. Why did he rest? So he could rest and enjoy His creation.

Sabbath gets you back in touch with your essence, and back in touch with the Lord. We get to enjoy Him and He gets to enjoy us. Sabbath is truly lalbbwrlnaout love and enjoyment.

There are several meanings of this kind of rest. The first is to be mindful. There is a depth to life and it is critical that we BE apart of that depth and not just DO, which will only leave us busy and tired. Badges we have worn proudly, but we really must examine and ask ourselves “Where is God in all of this?” This is the “how.” If only I would ask myself that critical question before I said, “yes” to something or added one more detail or thing to my plate. A stripped down version, a simpler way. I believe that for me, God is more evident in these moments. I love the details, especially when they show someone they are known and loved. When that is the motivation for our work, I believe it is apparent where God is in all of it.

The other meaning (like we see in Deuteronomy) is to guard. Sabbath is a weekly reminder that there is depth, and to participate in Sabbath is to break the cycle of production. Thank you to the Friday night gathering of our local church (and the network wide church) for discussing this topic. I was so grateful to hear these words and to hear the church place an emphasis on Sabbath – and recognizing that Sabbath comes in different forms for everybody – but that it is equally important for everyone.

The point of Sabbath really is healing, and it is truly a protest against the busyness. It protests the “means to an end” mentality.” It refuses to engage it.

I will explore the two ideas of guard and mindfulness over the next couple of days. My challenge today is to take a step in that direction. I want to remember to rest, I want to guard our moments of rest, and I am going to seek to be mindful.

Exodus 20:8-11, and in Deuteronomy 5:12-17
**thanks newlife.tv – north kitsap for your inspiration in this department ** 9/2/16

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