Day 8: Sabbath

It’s no joke how overworked, overscheduled, and overcommitted most of us are—I’m guessing you feel that truth deep in your own soul, too. We’ve talked about digital distractions and drowning in clutter. Yet the need for Sabbath goes deeper than each of these things. The need for Sabbath is a profoundly human one, a present given to us at the start of creation, an essential—I’d even say the essential—tool for a healthy soul. Sabbath-keeping is life, and we need it now more than ever. To a culture that worships productivity, Sabbath is God’s way of saying: stop.

So what does practicing the Sabbath look like? How can you or I keep the Sabbath holy without losing our jobs, alienating our families, or joining a cult? If there’s one gift I’d like to give you, it’s to spare you the years of trial and error Daryl and I wasted trying to crack the code of Sabbath-keeping. We thought it was complicated. It isn’t. It isn’t easy—keeping the Sabbath, like any other spiritual discipline, takes time to learn—but it’s incredibly simple. And God promises help each step of the way.

3 Steps to Sabbath

1. Preparing the Schedule: First, we prepare our schedules for a day of Sabbath rest. As Rabbi Heschel’s daughter, Susannah, notes, “Preparation for a holy day, my father often said, is as important as the day itself.” Without making a commitment in advance to keep the Sabbath, our time will naturally fill up with work and errands and chores and life. Scheduling Sabbath is the most challenging part! 
2. Preparing the Space: After we’ve prepared our schedule, we prepare our home. If you’re anything like us, by the end of the workweek your living space looks very . . . lived-in. Tidy the big things, throw the toys into bins (it helps that there are both fewer toys and fewer bins these days), pile laundry out of sight, clean up the kitchen, dedicate space for out-of-reach digital devices, set up for the simplest meals, and kick back and relax. 
3. Preparing the Soul: Finally, we are called by God to prepare ourselves for Sabbath. If you’re going to begin Sabbath practices for the first time, know that they sound good on paper, but there is a bit of a learning curve. Prepare yourself in prayer—tell God that you are giving Him the day. Think through which elements of worship, play, celebration, and rest would most nurture you and draw you closer to Jesus. Is it communal worship or a rigorous day-hike? Alone time with a book or brunch with all your friends? 

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. What role has keeping the Sabbath held in your life? How would regular Sabbath keeping impact you, your family, your job, and your home?
2. Courtney writes, “God never answered my prayer for the ability to keep going fast and forever without ever stopping to rest. He never does.” Have you ever prayed a similar prayer? Why is stopping so hard for us? When you rest—leaving work undone—what feelings arise in you?
3. Have you ever been near burnout? Are you there today? How might accepting the gift of Sabbath change your life?
4. Read Exodus 20:8–11. Why is keeping the Sabbath a command? What are the instructions for the Sabbath? Eugene Peterson describes the Sabbath as a time for “praying and playing.” What might a typical Sabbath look like for you? What role would worship have? What types of play are most restful for you?
5. Sabbath-keeping is uniquely challenging in different seasons of life. (For example: newborns refuse to sleep in, elderly parents might need round-the-clock care, a job may force you to work Sundays, etc.) What are the hurdles to Sabbath that you face currently? What creative ways might you be able to keep a regular Sabbath, despite these challenges?
6. Get your calendar out and make a plan to keep the Sabbath for four weeks in a row. Dedicate those days to the Lord and be prepared for the ways He will meet you, bless you, and help you to rest in the newfound slowness.