Practice
"SABBATH RHYTHM is practicing the weekly HABIT of receiving the GIFT of God to CEASE from that which is necessary--work and to EMBRACE that which is essential--rest, reflection and relationships (God, self, and others) for the purpose of SELF-CARE."
The second word I want us to think about in my definition of a Sabbath rhythm is HABIT. Habit is the practice of attending to "something" regularly. I have developed some rather helpful habits (showering, brushing my teeth, clothing myself, ritualizing a morning cup of coffee (mocha), eating three meals a day, sleeping, etc. ) and other habits which have not been so helpful (I'll spare you my general confession at this point :). God loves me and knows what is best for me. Therefore, God desires for me to practice the weekly habit of working six days and observing one day as a "blessed day," a "set apart day," a day to cease and rest in HIM, to break out of the humdrum and kick my feet up (Gen. 2:1-2).
Let's look at one helpful habit I have developed--sleeping. Can you imagine going a full day without any sleep (I know this one is easy)? How about two days? Three days? Four days? FIve days? SIX days? Sleeping is hardwired into my very core. I can deny the habit for so long before the habit of sleeping SEIZES me and I collapse out of physical exhaustion. Sleeping is a helpful rhythm I must submit to for my own well-being. I can cheat myself a few hours a day of sleep, but I must sleep.
Sabbath is a lot like this. It is hardwired into my core. I can deny this rhythm for a week, a month, a year, but eventually my body and spirit will seize me and I will crash. Remember what Charlean said about the 10 Commandments? "You don't break the 10 Commandments, you break yourself upon them." God loves me (and you) so much he gives us the HABIT of trusting one day completely on HIM, resting in His GRACE, remembering my life in JESUS. If I don't, it will seize me and I will be broken.
In the New Testament, Paul speaks of training for the purpose of godliness. It is a term for which we derive the word "gymnasium." Paul, in 1 Timothy 4:7-8, says, “exercise [gumnaze] unto godliness.” Paul uses the term “gymnasium” to describe the soul-care we must take to nurture ourselves. Anyone who has ever been to a gym realizes a routine, pattern or rhythm must also accompany the training for results to be achieved. This is the wisdom of spiritual attainment. Sabbath keeping provides the opportunity and the “gym” for training of the soul to occur.Observing a weekly rhythm of work and rest requires me to discipline myself, "work out" a week which incorporates this rhythm and balance of ceasing, resting, and working.
Habits are more easily formed and the "gym work done" when I value the habit I wish to incorporate. This is why over the past nine months a Sabbath Rhythm has become an easier weekly habit: I know God values it for me. If He values it for me, then I want to value it for me for the sake of self-care and the care of others. It is this self-determined value which compels me to accept the gift and practice the habit (I will confess I never do it perfectly but this again reminds me it is a GRACE day and I experience a Sabbath moment).
I hope you will value this gift enough this week to prepare daily by getting the work done which needs to get done, but do it in the six days given to you by God. If this means letting go of perfection, saying no to a few things, in order to care for yourself, let it be so.
I now have another helpful HABIT to go with my mocha on my seventh day--A Sabbath.
Shabbat Shalom!
4 comments:
Sabbath reflections: Pride! Pride is deceptive. It has power to mock God, self, and others.
This is why I need a Sabbath Rhythm. I need time to cease, to live as nothing depends on me. Pride always says otherwise. PRIDE says without me "the world/ministry would come to a stop." PRIDE puts the "world" at my feet.
Pride also mocks god. It causes me to live as one who doesn't need God. It at times has me believe, as a minister, I am god. I'm all powerful, all-knowing, all-present, and indestructible. Pride sticks its nose up at death or even the possibility.
Pride mocks others. It would have me use others and abuse others for selfish and selfless gain.
"Lord forgive me of allowing PRIDE to mock you, myself, and others. Amen."
How is everybody doing in your SR? What have you learned about yourself in the experience so far? Do you feel this SR according to your personality type is providing the self-care you need to live well with God?
I am proud to say we have had two Sabaath's in a row! But I am sad to say the second was kind of a dud. We rested but as far as really setting apart time to meet with God, for me it just didn't happen. Kids, spouse, etc. It was good but what I really crave is that deep intimate time with my Father where we meet and share and that fire within me has the gas poured on it. IT is so good to understand it as a grace day and to know that I'm blesssed enough to get to practice my sabaath and work to get better at it. Praise God for His unfailing love and faithfulness even in the midst of our distraction.
woohoo07
For some reason, my comment didn't post last week so I'll try to repost it. We found our second week of sabbath to be the most difficult to keep. We choose to attend a birthday party our daughter had been invited to. It did seem like it would be to intrusive, but we left the chore of buying the birthday gift out of our day of prep plans. One thing lead to another and the chore became more disruptive and our patience with the whole thing wore down. By the time we left the party and the kids were in bed, my wife and I had an hour to pray and practice a sabbath-like sabbath. I think that when you start doing something right in your walk with God, the spiritual forces of evil will confront your efforts along the way. Thanks to the grace of God, we will be gifted with another sabbath next week.
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