I spent my Friday away from the office. I try to do that as often as possible. We all need a day off once in a while. I think of it more as a "day away" because it is usually still filled with study, reading, and final preparation for Sunday. I had big plans for the day and it barely got started when the plans began falling apart. I didn't accomplish what I wanted to, but I still tried to keep my Sabbath holy. Now all I have to do is focus through the rest of this day.
Distractions can throw us for a loop. In a moment those changed plans alter our mood and spirits in a way that we can no longer focus on what is really important. The tiniest detail can mess up our day, our devotional time, our focus. I've laughed many times at the prayer I've seen in greeting cards and on many refrigerator magnets. It goes something like, "Lord, so far it's been a good day, I haven't lied, cheated, gossipped, swore or done anything to displease you. But now it's time to get out of bed. Please help me through the day. Amen."
Now that is an honest prayer. It's from a humble heart and one who knows the distractions of life, but also from one who recognizes what has to be at the center. Sabbath has a great purpose. It was created not only to give us a whole day to focus on God, but also to reshape our lives so that we live in Sabbath-type ways every day. In a sense, God was helping us live through 6 days, realign on the seventh so that the next 6 days would be aligned with God. It was never to be a stepping stone or a kind of check-off list ("Now that the Sabbath is over I can go on with my life." And don't tell me that you've never thought about it that way. So far I've discovered everyone I know, even the best of Christians have thought this way at least at some time.)
Sabbath is a day to focus on God, so that, our whole lives are completely focused on God. Peter said it this way, "Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God." (1 Peter 1:18, The Message) Not some subconscious sense, but a wide awake, in your face, arm-in-arm life with the Creator. One that is intimate and public, includes the best of us and the earthiest, until our life and God's are intertwined.
Journey's sometimes contain detours, wrong turns, and if you have girls traveling with you, plenty of stops along the way. God understands that. So Sabbath comes every week. Is God in focus? Or have you forgotten? The point is not just a future with God but the present, because the future depends on what happens today. Let's get back on the road and up to speed. It's early, we just got up and haven't messed up much yet. God help us through the day, with You!
Peace ><>
PC
1 comment:
I feel as though a Sabbath is hard to keep sometimes which completely conflicts with what I desire.
I dont think of the "day of rest" as a physical rest so much as a spiritual one. where as you said we realign ourselves with God. It is through that once a week habit we find rest, comfort, and peace. Not in bed or on a couch (not saying its a bad thing), but within our spirit and I find that reflects directly into physical renewal as well.
The desire is there as I imagine it is for most Christians. My personal struggle is finding a day and making it the "day of rest" Not that I believe my life is half as busy as others, rather its my own lacking ability to make time.
I always find it interesting how noble desires can seem impossible in undertaking, but selfish desires never stop knocking at my door...
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