Have you ever planned an event but forgot to prepare for it? If we are going to honor and observe Sabbath, we need to plan for it. Today, we are going to figure out how to prepare for Sabbath.
As I sipped my coffee this morning, I began listing all the things I needed to accomplish today.
- do the laundry
- straighten up the house
- load the dishwasher and run it
- go to the grocery store
- pick up a prescription
- on and on and on…
As I mentally listed off the items, I had not even thought about my daily practice. I grabbed my Jesus Calling devotion and flipped to today’s date. It read, “You will not find my peace by engaging in excessive planning…” Yikes! I took a deep breath, finished reading, and bowed my head. That’s when I realized, it was Sunday, The Sabbath.
In that quiet moment, I confessed to God that I do not know how to honor the Sabbath. I prayed God would forgive and show me.
If you have been following along, you know we have been talking about rest. Two weeks ago, I wrote a blog entitled, “How important is it to rest” Last week, we discovered Where to find that rest . Interestingly enough, we find it by observing the Sabbath. Something I often fail to do.
Why is Sabbath so hard?
If I am going to find the rest I so desperately need, I have to learn how to honor the Sabbath.
It is sort of like planning an event. If you were going to throw a dinner party, wouldn’t you prepare for it? There are things you would have to, in advance, in order to get ready for the party. Sabbath is the same.
Today, we are going to figure out how to prepare for the Sabbath. Why? Because honoring the Sabbath honors God.
When we are obedient to what God has called us to do, there are unseen blessings. Things we could have never realized we would receive. But if rest is what you are looking for, you are never going to find it, unless you “cease.” You literally have to stop. When you honor the Sabbath by ceasing, rest finds you. In the resting, God renews your spirit, restores your mind and replenishes your energy. This is why rest is so important.
When we are obedient to God by honoring the Sabbath, God blesses us with rest. Rest is not an option. It is a command. God knew we just would not stop if He did not tell us to.
As we discover the importance of honoring The Sabbath and keeping it holy, God blesses us with the rest we need. But, observing the Sabbath is hard when we are programmed to make the most of every moment. To cease or stop feels counterproductive but is necessary.
Plan for your rest.
So, if we are going to honor the Sabbath, we need to make a plan.
- First, plan your rest. Think about what it will look like.
- Mark it on your calendar. Block it out.
- Observe it and commit to it.
- Protect it. Learn to say “No” so that you can say “Yes” to God.
- Make it a priority, as if it were an appointment. Because it is. You wouldn’t skip out on a scheduled appointment. Don’t skip out on God.
- Imagine what your Sabbath will look to you. What things will you rest from? Your phone, the TV, chores. What things would you enjoy doing? Things that make your heart sing, give you peace, and bring you joy. Not things that drain but things that renew and refresh your soul. Think about it.
So why is it important to prepare for Sabbath?
If we plan and prepare for Sabbath, we make it a priority. We honor God by resting. We are obedient to what God has commanded us to do. The amazing part is when we are obedient to God, God blesses us! We give to God and God gives back to us more than we could ever imagine.
I want to challenge you to pick a day, it does not have to be Sunday, and make it your Sabbath. Prepare for it, plan it and do it. Watch what God does in the midst of your observance. I guarantee you, you will feel less stress, and more refreshed than you have in years. God is so good. His ways are higher than our ways. We don’t have to understand it. All we have to do is rest in God.
Let us pray;
God of all that is, thank you for your word that brings us life, that shows us what we need. Forgive us when we are not obedient to what you have called us to do. Help us to make You a priority in our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
P.S. leave me a comment below and let me know what you discovered in your Sabbath. Forward this message to a friend and ask them to subscribe. Post this on Facebook and tag me in it. Until next time, I pray you find that rest. -M
