Sabbath: The Rest of ItSample

Day Four: Striving vs. Resting

It’s common for many of us today to pride ourselves on how hard we hustle. Busy is our everyday state, and rushed is our pace in a constant competition for more. Without realizing it, we've built our identities on what we do and what we have.

The result? We’re burned out and overwhelmed because we’ve forgotten the commandment of rest, which is key to our sanity and well-being.

This attitude of striving has also carried over into our homes. Many of us have never seen the Sabbath truly modeled because we weren’t raised in a home where Sabbath was a priority.

In a society built on work ethic, it often feels like we can’t slow down (much less stop) if we want to “keep up.” We’re rooted in a culture of restlessness, not rest.

Long ago, farmers and scientists realized something interesting: Fields that are overworked and over plowed eventually stop being fruitful. The harvest ceases when there is no rest.

The creator of the world knows the same is true in our lives.

Sabbath is a chance for us to break free from the mentality that “I am what I do.” It reminds us that who we are is actually defined by who we belong to.

The Sabbath rest is an active rest—not a passive one. It’s defying the voice of Pharaoh that has echoed from the pages of Exodus to culture today (Exodus 5). Sure, you don’t have a literal Pharaoh yelling at you to hit your quota of bricks, but you probably have a voice in your head that is just as aggressive. A voice that says, “You’ve got to keep up. You can’t fall behind. There’s more to do. Look—they’ve got more. They’re doing more.” So we stay up later and wake up earlier, and our weeks bleed together and we label that a life. But it’s certainly not the abundant life Jesus called us to.

This week, when you practice Sabbath, take time to refocus your mind and heart and get your priorities straight. Thank God for His blessings, goodness, and guidance. Then, seek first His kingdom, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33).

Tip for practicing Sabbath:

What you do with your Sabbath is so important! Consider planning Sabbath activities that invite you to enjoy God and all that He's given you (e.g., hiking, spending time with your small group, reading, spending time with family, etc.).

Also, think about activities you might refrain from on your Sabbath, like scrolling on your phone, shopping, studying, or working. When considering an activity, ask, “Is it rest? Is it worship?”