Sabbath is a time to stop, rest and worship.
The Sabbath is a counter-formational practice in our modern culture where many of us have adopted a practice of working without ceasing. We are taught to value that lifestyle. In the Sabbath, however, God commanded the people of Israel to take a day to rest. Now, I do not believe we, in the New Covenant community of faith, are required to follow the Sabbath as a law. However, it is a wise spiritual practice, especially in our work-driven culture.
To Get Started
- Choose a time period to Sabbath. Ideally this is a 24 hour period, but if you’re just starting start with 4 hours.
- Decide what you are not going to do. Here’s some suggestions:
- Work
- Tinker
- Entertainment
- Plan out what you are going to do. Here’s some suggestions:
- Attend church
- Pray
- Read
- Nap
- Talk with loved ones
- Veg
- Take a walk
*Don’t be legalistic about your Sabbath! That cuts against the point of the practice, which is to find rest for your soul and enjoy communion with God and others.
**One of the difficulties you will soon discover in your practice of Sabbath is that it is difficult to practice a true Sabbath without the rest of your community practicing it as well. You’ll be asked by friends or family to do something that isn’t rest or worship on your Sabbath day. Again, don’t be too legalistic about it. Discern when to say “no” and when to be accommodating. I’ve found Sundays to be the best days of fewest community distractions in our culture to practice Sabbath.
