So many years ago, Sundays were days of rest. People went to church in the morning, had a family feast together in the afternoon, and rested in the evening. People rested and did not feel guilty about it, because it was sabbath, a day of rest. Though you may not be able to return to those quiet Sundays, the concept of sabbath can still help you regain a better balance between work and rest.
You live in a workaholic society, you are proud that you accomplish so much, work so many hours, and produce and consume so much. But with busy schedules, cell phone, emails and fax machine 24/7 days, you exhaust yourself and lose touch with the basic rhythem's of creation. Even though your body and mind need rest, you often feel guilty, as if taking time to sleep, relax and simply be a human being instead of a unit of production is a crime. The biblical concept of sabbath challenges the workaholic consumer society. Sabbath is not merely a twenty-four-hour day of rest. Sabbath can be any length of time.
What is important about creating your own sense of sabbath rest is that you let go of your frantic agenda and let God take care of running the universe. Lighting candles, gathering in worship and prayer, singing meals, reading scripture and delighting in play are all part of sabbath rest. A nap in the afternoon sun or a brisk, walk over the hills is restful to body, mind and spirit.
If you dress up at work, dress down for a day off. If you have a job that requires uniform or work clothes that get grimy, dressing up and going to a concert or out to dinner might be a restful and playful change. A beautiful black velvet dress and diamond drop earrings and somewhere to wear them may be as satisfying a way to play for a woman said getting into terms whites or garden grubbies. It's about changing perspective, celebrating the beauties of your life, and taking a break from the regular routine.
Setting aside work for one day a week, or for a few moments in a day, is an act of faith not a sign of laziness or sloth. It is an acknowledgement that you were created for rhythems of rest and work. God created for six days, and on the seventh day he rested. It is a pattern that you can use to restore balance to your own life.
