Call to rest – Part 2 of 2

Dear Lord, thank you for the rest and relaxation built into your plan for us. You want us to rest with you daily (in a regular quiet time), and every week (by keeping holy the Sabbath). All, yesterday, I wrote about daily rest. Today, I am writing about weekly rest....

Dear Lord, thank you for the rest and relaxation built into your plan for us. You want us to rest with you daily (in a regular quiet time), and every week (by keeping holy the Sabbath).

All, yesterday, I wrote about daily rest. Today, I am writing about weekly rest. To the best of my ability, here is the case for Christ-followers observing a weekly day of rest:

To begin, we see the example Jesus set during His time on Earth. He recognized the importance of the Sabbath and often used it as a time to engage in acts of mercy and healing, challenging the limited views of Sabbath observance. As Jesus said in the book of Mark 2:27-28: “Then he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.'”

THE SABBATH IS FOR OUR GREATEST GOOD

This indicates the significance of the Sabbath—it was instituted for our benefit, not as a burden. It provides us an opportunity to step back from the daily grind, refresh our souls, and refocus our attention on our relationship with Christ our Lord, Savior, Best Friend, and Commander-in-Chief.

The early church continued this tradition of setting aside a day for worship and rest. In Acts 20:7, it’s noted, “On the first day of the week, we came together to break bread…” suggesting a gathering for worship and fellowship, an example for us to follow. Now, this blog post is intended to minister to Ministry Leaders, and we know full well that you work on Sundays. As Marketplace Leaders, it is equivalent to our Mondays. You work your tail off on Sundays. From my experience:

1. You need one day a week that is your “Sabbath Rest.”
2. Most Pastors and Ministry Leaders I know tend to take off on Mondays or Fridays.
3. There is no “rule” for which day you take off; but, you should have one day that is entirely “free.”

​Whoever you are, make sure you have one day of “rest” to fully rest, every week, and have this be a time of intentional and prolonged refreshing of your spiritual connection with Christ. Otherwise, don’t be surprised when you “burn out.”

EVERYONE NEEDS A SABBATH DAY

In Hebrews 4:9-10, we read, “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.” This passage isn’t only about physical rest but also a spiritual one. It serves as a reminder that our ultimate rest is found in Christ, and by observing the Sabbath, we are mirroring the rest God took after His creation and the rest we will one day have in Heaven.

YOUR SABBATH DAY IS UP TO YOU; JUST HAVE ONE!

The Apostle Paul, in Colossians 2:16-17, advises, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” It’s clear that while the specific customs of Sabbath observance might vary, the principle behind it—to rest in Christ—is essential.

CONCLUSION

Observing a weekly day of rest is not just about physical relaxation but also spiritual rejuvenation. It’s a day to reconnect with God, reflect on His teachings, and be reminded of the eternal rest that awaits us. As followers of Christ, let’s honor the principle of the Sabbath, using it as a time to draw closer to our Savior. And, no matter who you are, as a marketplace leader, vocational ministry leader, or like me, a bi-vocational leader, we all need ONE SPECIAL DAY OF SABBATH REST.

Remember: You are running a marathon; not a sprint race!

May we all find our strength renewed, our spirits lifted, and our relationship with God deepened on this special day each week. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your aspiring (and rested in Christ) servant,

Daniel M.

August 12, 2023

POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. Note: For ease of reference, all scriptures quoted are from the NIV.

If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate daily conversations with Christ.