Most of us are constantly caught up in an avalanche of busyness. We say yes to too many things; demands from our jobs and family life seem to swallow up whatever “free time” there might have been otherwise; we multitask, with 7 different things going all at the same time (although there’s really no such thing when it comes to tasks that require concentration, so it’s more like switch-tasking, which further dilutes our efforts).
We’re overscheduled, busy, anxious, worn out, stressed out, and sometimes downright miserable…
…and yet we don’t do anything to change it. Sometimes we half-heartedly attempt to, or listen to podcasts and read books about it…and then resume our hectic lifestyle thinking that “someday” we’ll slow down.
When we’re not busy, we feel guilty, like we’re wasting time and should be doing something more productive.
We’re addicted to work, to tasks, to doing…swallowed up in the avalanche.
So what are we to do?
Start by taking a true Sabbath. The Sabbath was so important for God’s people that he made it a commandment (Exodus 20:8-11).
By true Sabbath I mean stop the craziness for ONE DAY and take time to rest, to reflect, and to be with God. Do things that recharge your batteries, spend quality time with those you love, and practice being “in the moment” with your loved ones.
I say practice because it’s a constant struggle for me. Some days are better than others, but it’s tough to stay “in the moment” when there are so many [and worthy] things that I could be working on.
I’m preaching to myself here.
Perhaps due to your vocation, Sunday isn’t a day you can fully devote to rest and God. So find another day and protect it like your life depends on it!
And when you blow it (because let’s face it, we’re all human and don’t always get it right), extend some grace to yourself and nail it next week.
We don’t need to get legalistic about the when and what of your Sabbath, but here are some basic principles that will help you get the most from this ancient treasure.
Stop
This day is mostly about stopping. Stop is actually built into the meaning of the Hebrew word Sabbath. The temptation is to use this time to finish whatever it is we think we need to get done; knock off just one more thing on the list. The problem is that one thing leads to another, as there’s always more list than time, and then poof…the day is gone.
Instead of that approach, just STOP! Leave those things as they are, and pick them back up on the next day.
The Sabbath is about stopping and embracing our limits. God is God, and is indispensable. We are his creation, and we are dispensable. Our life is but a breath, a vapor that’s here one second and gone the next.
The world continues to spin and work just fine when you stop (as much as we hate to admit that). Quit acting like the Earth will cease to operate if you take a break for a day! If you can’t stop, you’re essentially saying that you don’t trust God. Ooooh, real talk. That hurts. I just punched myself in the gut with that one. If you have a hard time “shutting it off,” if you can’t stop working and doing for ONE day, you don’t trust that God will still provide. You don’t trust that He is enough. You’re putting faith in YOURSELF, and not in God.
Pause and let that sink in.
Rest
Once we stop, God calls us to rest. So what are we supposed to do with all this free time that stopping has given us? That’s simple…whatever excites and replenishes you!
For me, I love the outdoors. I love to mountain bike, hike, walk, run, or even just sit outside. So at some point I aim get outside and enjoy God’s beautiful creation however I can that day.
There’s a myriad of other things that take my mind off of work, and I do as much of that as I can.
And so should you.
This world needs what you have, but if you’re too exhausted to share it, you’re doing everyone (including yourself) a disservice. Recharge your batteries!
Be Present
After God created the universe, he took delight in His creation.
“Then God surveyed everything He had made, savoring its beauty and appreciating its goodness.” Genesis 1:31 (Voice).
I love that. He savored it’s beauty. You can’t do that if your mind is always somewhere else.
It’s important to stay present, or be in the moment, when you’re not working. Again, the tendency will be for your mind to drift to all the things you have on your to-do list. Let it go, Elsa!
But what does staying present even mean? Here’s my take on it.
It means you take note of the little things. The sounds, the sights, and the smells of your surroundings. The smell and taste of your favorite beverage or food, the leaves turning in the fall, wildlife outside your window, the look on your spouse or child’s face while they do something or talk about something they love, etc.
Beauty is all around us, and it’s meant to be savored. God wants us to delight in those things that we find beautiful!
Pay attention to people around you. When they’re talking, put down your phone. Quit checking out mentally or thinking about what you’re going to say and just listen. Engage with them in something they love, even if it’s not your favorite.
Be Grateful
Take stock of your blessings, and all the beautiful things you have to be thankful for. Drop the comparison (and envy that follows) and be grateful for what (and who) you have in your life.
Humor me for a moment. Grab a piece of paper and a pen (or your journal, if you’re into that sort of thing) and write down 5 things you’re thankful for (10 if you think you’re up for it). It might sound like a lot at first, but it gets easier as you start writing.
Do it. I’ll wait.
.
.
.
.
How does that make you feel?
It’s so easy to get caught up in the comparison game. Someone (I forget who) once said “comparison is the death of contentment.” Want to know the secret to contentment? Stop comparing your life to other people’s lives and start expressing gratitude for what you have. It’s amazing, really. It’s hard to feel bad for yourself when you see how much you have to be thankful for.
Spend Time With God
The final aspect of your Sabbath is spending time with God, and contemplating Him and His goodness. Make sure you’re setting aside some time to be with Him. Go to church, worship, pray, meditate, etc.
Final Thoughts
Like anything, this is a practice. Some weeks you’ll do better than others, and periodically you may fall into old habits and routines.
When that happens, call yourself out and get back to taking your Sabbath. Fight for it like your life depends on it, because honestly…it does. Show me someone who’s overworked, overstressed, tossed around in the avalanche of today’s busy world, and I’ll show you someone who isn’t practicing the Sabbath.
I’ve found myself in a cycle of busyness, and if you inspect my life with a microscope, you won’t find much rest. I’m calling myself out, and getting back to it. Won’t you join me?
Now, I want to hear from you. In the comments below, Let me know what activities or things replenish and recharge your batteries, and what frequently gets in the way of enjoying those things!
Nick
P.S. Want a great resource for developing your spiritual maturity? I read a book a while back that has an awful title, but amazing and helpful information that will help you grow: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero. A portion of the book is devoted to the Sabbath, as well as another ancient tradition that has helped me immensely: The Daily Office. I highly recommend this book to anyone who’s serious about emotional maturity and growing in their relationship with Jesus.
