The Sabbath by Kelly Lynch

 

The Sabbath!

By Kelly Lynch

 

Do you know how easy it is to stay busy? I most certainly do. There seems to always be something that needs to be done; work, home, family, church and repeat over and over.

We even stay busy for good reasons and the "right" reasons. But that doesn't change God's words and what He has instructed us to do. In case we've forgotten, to Sabbath is one of the ten commandments.

Sit with that for a moment.

There are some pretty serious and heavy commandments and observing the Sabbath is right there among them. He created us, so He didn't make us for a "reward" of a day of rest. He created us to work six days and rest one. We are made for productivity and hard work and then to rest.. Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Mark 2:27 NASB

So let me share with you about an Olympian you may have heard, his name is Eric Liddell? He was an Olympian that was set to compete in the Olympics in 1924 and was expected to take home the medal. But his qualifying race was scheduled on Sunday, the day he observed as his Sabbath. He was a devout Christian and chose to honor God over others expectations, the great opposition and his personal gain.

A few days later though he competed in a race that was not his strength and wasn't expected to win. Yet, he not only win it but he also broke the world record and held that status for years. I would say there was some blessing and favor there!

So, when we observe the Sabbath, when we make a simple yet hard choice to rest, then we are within His will for our lives.

It starts with a desire to be obedient to what He has said. I want that desire, but I can find SO so many reasons to keep going. But will my reason to stop and rest outweigh the other?

I certainly hope it does.

I am still learning and growing and I encourage you to do the same. Start by making small changes. The first change starts in your heart. Ask God to give you a desire to please Him above all else. Once we get it, once we begin to honor the Sabbath, our lives will forever be changed, for the better.

"Remember the Sabbath day to keep it Holy!" Exodus 20:8