And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man,
not man for the Sabbath."
not man for the Sabbath."
Mark 2:27
We live in a day and age marked by incredible amounts of depression and anxiety. I would say that in some locals, one out of every two people you talk to will be struggling with these issues. In fact, chances are 50/50 that you are struggling with these twin demons of our age.
Has it always been this way, but we did not know to ask? If there is more depression and anxiety now, is it because life if harder now than in the past? Or, is it possible that life is tougher now because we have forgotten something that was known in the past?
As is virtually always true, I think a good place to begin the discussion is an understanding of what scripture says about how to live. Today's world is 24/7. The Bible says to work hard, sleep, enjoy life, and work 24/6.
How do we adjust to the biblical ideas about life? I would suggest that we start by understanding the concept of Sabbath rest. Thus, instead of running 24/7, we move to 24/6.
Has it always been this way, but we did not know to ask? If there is more depression and anxiety now, is it because life if harder now than in the past? Or, is it possible that life is tougher now because we have forgotten something that was known in the past?
As is virtually always true, I think a good place to begin the discussion is an understanding of what scripture says about how to live. Today's world is 24/7. The Bible says to work hard, sleep, enjoy life, and work 24/6.
How do we adjust to the biblical ideas about life? I would suggest that we start by understanding the concept of Sabbath rest. Thus, instead of running 24/7, we move to 24/6.
What is the Sabbath? It is setting apart one day in seven to rest, to set aside the normal activities of life, and to grow in trust in God.
It is not a day for two kid's soccer games, a play party, two trips to the store, and then a quick dinner while standing up. It is a day to set aside the normal activities of life to focus on God's mercy and grace. This grace includes the blessings of nature, family, and friends.
I know it sounds impossible. How do we do it?
Begin by confessing that it is impossible for you to shut down the inner dialogue, the to-do list, and the thoughts and fears of the upcoming week. Ask God to help you to relax, slow down, and focus on what is important. In fact, you might have to ask Him to show you what is really important because today's fast-paced world often forces us to focus on what is urgent and not what is really important.
Second, look for the day you can take this rest. Obviously the day the Lord set aside was a day of worship. Funny thing is that Christians have been arguing for years if it is a Saturday or a Sunday. I think this is part of God's plan. Pick one. If you work weekends, pick another day. Just plan on a day not filled with normal activity. Begin the day by asking God to set it aside and honor it. Then, enjoy God's presence.
Please cut yourself some slack as you learn this discipline! You will have good weeks and weeks that are not so good. Confess and talk to God about it.
Friends, as you try to implement these basic ideas, you will grow in the last benefit of the Sabbath: you will grow in your trust in God.
It is not a day for two kid's soccer games, a play party, two trips to the store, and then a quick dinner while standing up. It is a day to set aside the normal activities of life to focus on God's mercy and grace. This grace includes the blessings of nature, family, and friends.
I know it sounds impossible. How do we do it?
Begin by confessing that it is impossible for you to shut down the inner dialogue, the to-do list, and the thoughts and fears of the upcoming week. Ask God to help you to relax, slow down, and focus on what is important. In fact, you might have to ask Him to show you what is really important because today's fast-paced world often forces us to focus on what is urgent and not what is really important.
Second, look for the day you can take this rest. Obviously the day the Lord set aside was a day of worship. Funny thing is that Christians have been arguing for years if it is a Saturday or a Sunday. I think this is part of God's plan. Pick one. If you work weekends, pick another day. Just plan on a day not filled with normal activity. Begin the day by asking God to set it aside and honor it. Then, enjoy God's presence.
Please cut yourself some slack as you learn this discipline! You will have good weeks and weeks that are not so good. Confess and talk to God about it.
Friends, as you try to implement these basic ideas, you will grow in the last benefit of the Sabbath: you will grow in your trust in God.
How?
Working non-stop illustrates a profound lack of trust in God to provide and work apart from our labors. When we cannot "shut-it-down" we live as one apart from Christ. We prove we trust more in our actions than in God.
Working non-stop illustrates a profound lack of trust in God to provide and work apart from our labors. When we cannot "shut-it-down" we live as one apart from Christ. We prove we trust more in our actions than in God.
But what about all the people who need me? What about all the work demands? What about all the activities that I do for my family (that show we are good parents)?
Friends, are you really that necessary? Can God not take care of these folks and these demands? Of course He can. On your Sabbath, ask Him to do so. Begin the process of trusting Him to do so.
Friends, are you really that necessary? Can God not take care of these folks and these demands? Of course He can. On your Sabbath, ask Him to do so. Begin the process of trusting Him to do so.
So where are you in life? Are you struggling with intense anxiety? Do you find yourself struggling with the darkness of depression?
I believe that taking a Sabbath rest is built into the very foundation of the world. Our culture might not like it, support it, or expect it, but our culture is wrong about almost everything. We need it. Our forefathers and foremothers knew this truth, and they practiced it. We ignore it to our own peril.
I believe that taking a Sabbath rest is built into the very foundation of the world. Our culture might not like it, support it, or expect it, but our culture is wrong about almost everything. We need it. Our forefathers and foremothers knew this truth, and they practiced it. We ignore it to our own peril.
How can you put this idea into practice this week?
Few things are as contentious as what believers think they ought to do on a Sunday. At least one instructor at Liberty University tried to convince our personal evangelism class that we should actually seek to join sports teams that practiced on Sundays so we had a vehicle for witnessing for Christ. Uh, no.
ReplyDeleteA rule of thumb that I periodically ignore (then feel guilty) is that Sunday is for those things that glorify and magnify God. Football season blows this out of the water because for those few hours there is nothing glorifying about my behavior. But that’s the scriptural standard as far as I can tell. And it’s so important.
Truett Cathey of Chick-Fil-A is a terrific example of a godly man working out his own “24/6” routine for himself and his employees. I’d be thrilled if almost nothing was open on a Sunday—more chances to invite our friends to church. In the meantime this is something believers collectively need to get right. Hard with kids but not impossible.
This idea is bigger than it might first seem. If believers honored that 24/6 idea in a real way, not just by avoiding the mall and sports team practices, but by doing the things that refresh and offer mercy to a hurting world, it would be noticed. IMHO.
Few things are as contentious as what believers think they ought to do on a Sunday. At least one instructor at Liberty University tried to convince our personal evangelism that we should actually seek to join sports teams that practiced on Sundays so that we had a vehicle for witnessing for Christ. Uh, no.
ReplyDeleteA rule of thumb that I periodically ignore (then feel guilty) is that Sunday is for those things that glorify and magnify God. Football season blows this out of the water because for those few hours there is nothing glorifying about my behavior. But that’s the scriptural standard as far as I can tell. And it’s so important.
Truett Cathey of Chick-Fil-A is a terrific example of a godly man working out his own “24/6” routine for himself and his employees. I’d be thrilled if almost nothing was open on a Sunday—more chances to invite our friends to church. In the meantime this is something believers collectively need to get right. Hard with kids but not impossible.
This idea is bigger than it might first seem. If believers honored that 24/6 idea in a real way, not just by avoiding the mall and sports team practices, but by doing the things that refresh and offer mercy to a hurting world, it would be noticed. IMHO.
Thanks for your periodic and regular nudging / teaching on this topic. It is so easy to make exceptions and then gradually drift away only to realize eventually that we are no longer as intentional as we need or wanted to be about Sabbath rest. Having it taught in Scripture as well as preached and modeled from today's pulpit blesses those who decide to practice it… (perhaps over and over again as we struggle to do this better!)
DeleteMy nickname should be "Prone-To-Wander." If I didn't get reminded of God's truths over and over again I'd have slipped off the path permanently long ago.
DeleteThank God for those who never tire of reminding us (or who hide their fatigue so we don't see it).