His Grace in Providing Sabbath Rest

A Sunday with no "to-do list."  Doesn't that sound like a dream?

Or what if every Sunday was filled with worship, both corporate and individual?  What if you were free to read a book, take a nap, enjoy time outdoors, or spend time with family and friends?

Thankfully, Sundays really can look like what I've described above; they don't have to be just another day of chores, to-do lists, and errands.

I've written about Sabbath rest a couple of times here - most notably the post from September 2011, which stayed up forever because I took a blog sabbatical right after that post.  Since then, I've taken this concept to heart and have continued living out that dream, though it hasn't always been easy.

Observing the Sabbath takes some planning on my part to reallocate my chores and errands throughout the remaining six days of the week.  But that little investment of planning reaps great rewards.  I'm able to slow down the pace of life, even if it's just for one day a week. 

Sometimes, my plans fail, and I don't get everything done before the Sabbath.  But I've learned to let those things go and trust God with them; I force myself to put aside my Martha tendencies and to be a Mary for one day.  And the hope is that maybe I'll become a little more Mary during the week and a little less Martha.

The Lord gave His people this wonderful gift back in Old Testament times but continued it in the New Testament:  "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." Hebrews 4:9-10

I'm now learning that I can rest in His grace as I go about my Sabbath.  I don't have to follow a particular format; I don't have to justify what I do or don't do as part of my Sabbath.  I'm not trying to earn the Lord's favor by observing the Sabbath because that cannot be done.  His grace is all-sufficient.  Rather, the Sabbath allows me time to gaze on Him and spend time with Him.  What more could a Believer want?

If you haven't tried observing the Sabbath, plan for it this week and give it a try next Sunday.  It will provide the rest that you've been seeking.