In Exodus 20, the Israelites are given a list of 10 commandments. The fourth commandment, found in verses 8–11, is interesting and one we often ignore. It says, “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest.”

God knew we would need a rest in the middle of our busy weeks. The Sabbath was meant to be a gift to refresh us, a chunk of time for us to unplug, to rest, to connect with God and others… and to play.

There has been much written and studied about our constantly connected world and the negative effects it’s having on our mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Our days are filled with constant buzzing as our phones fill us in on news updates, help us catch up with friends, and allow us to work wherever we go. While there are definitely benefits to staying in constant connection, one of the negative effects is that our souls become overwhelmed, overloaded and flat-out tired. We need rest.

The remedy for our weary souls is engaging in solitude and silence. Silence is a life-giving gift; it allows the chaos in our souls to settle and helps us get in touch with how we are really doing. Silence allows us to connect with God and to listen to his voice.

Jesus modeled this for us in the Gospels. He had a rhythm of going alone to quiet places to pray. If you’re feeling disconnected from God and/or yourself, spending time in silence with God can help bring you back.

Application

Find 15 minutes to turn off your phone to create a quiet space to connect with your heavenly Father. Get comfortable in a chair or take a walk. Invite God into the time and check in with yourself. What are you excited about? What is draining you? What are you worried about? Give it to God. And then take time to listen to him.

Go Deeper Resources

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer (Book)