The Sabbath Practice

​

Why practice Sabbath?

​

To begin, I would ask a few questions:

     “Do you feel hurried?”

     “Does it feel like there is never enough time?”

     “Are you constantly waiting for a time to get away and just relax?”

​

It could be that you are what author Ruth Haley Barton calls - dangerously tired. Symptoms may include:

​

• Irritability — the small stuff gets to you

• Restlessness — when you do stop to rest you can’t relax; you can’t fall asleep and may fidget

• Compulsive over-working

• Escapist behavior — binge-watching Netflix/Youtube, alcohol, social media, etc.

• Not attending to human needs — sleeping 8 hrs/night, exercising daily, eating healthily

• Slippage in spiritual practices — spiritual disciplines become less frequent

​

Is there a practice from the way of Jesus that helps form our souls to rest in Jesus, instead of leaving us dangerously tired?

 

Yes! Practicing a weekly Sabbath—stepping away from work and to-do lists to delight in Jesus.

​

The Sabbath practice is geared toward taking a step back from our work and choosing to delight in Jesus. It is not a day off but a day on with the One our hearts long for. As St. Augustine puts it, “Our souls are restless until they find rest in you.” This is an opportunity for you—individually or with family and friends—to use 24 hours to move your soul to rest in Jesus.

​

If you are anything like me, when you step away from work—whether it’s a vocation, housekeeping, or yard work—it is hard to figure out what to do next. Do I just sit here? Should I scroll YouTube? How about doing the dishes?

​

To help with these moments, there are a few rhythms that are helpful for our family as we journey through Sabbath together. Before we unpack them, it is helpful to remember:

​​

Sabbath is about delight, not rules.

​

We focus our attention on delighting in each other, in creation, and ultimately in Jesus. Sabbath is not a suffocating list of rules like the Pharisees posed, but a day designed to give rest to our souls. As Jesus pointed out — the Sabbath was made for us (Mark 2:23-28).

​

 

Helpful Rhythms for Sabbath

​

​

Begin and end your sabbath with a clear ritual — having set moments helps you settle into the space of rest more easily. For our family, we eat a meal together, read a psalm, and sing a short song.

 

Here are a few examples:

​

Begin:

​

• Light a few candles. Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to come and give your home light, joy, love, peace, and rest.

• Read a Psalm, sing a worship song, quote a poem, or pray a liturgy to center on God.

• Pray: ask the Holy Spirit to bring a spirit of rest over your life and lead and guide you through the next 24 hours.

• Start by sharing a meal with your family or friends.

​

End:

​

• Take a slow, leisurely prayer walk around your neighborhood, a nearby park, or a nature reserve.

• Read a Psalm.

• Share a meal with family and friends.

• Spend some time alone or with your family and friends in prayers of gratitude.

​

What do I do during the day?

​

Choose activities that move your soul to delight in each of these areas:

​

- Delight in people (friends, family, spouse) — take a walk, eat a delicious meal, watch a good movie, simply play together.

​

- Delight in creation — hike in the foothills, sit on the grass and read a book, hang out with beloved animals.

​

- Delight in Jesus — read a Psalm and reflect on how good our God is, sing worship songs as a family, take turns sharing how God has blessed you in this season.

 

How about technology?

​

- It is helpful to put away screens for a period of time on Sabbath to focus your attention on the things Jesus has put in front of you.

​          As a practice, our family turns off our phones and puts them in a drawer for 24 hours.

          It is amazing the sense of presence you gain with this simple act.

- If twenty-four hours is too much, start with four. Start where you are, not where you feel you are supposed to be.

​​

Reflect

​

At the end of the day, ask a simple question: “What was my favorite part of the day during Sabbath?” Take a moment to reflect as a family or journal on your own about what it was like to take time to delight in Jesus.

​​

If you are interested in learning more about the Sabbath practice - click the link below - you will need to make a free account to access it.

​

A reminder that we will not be meeting together this Sunday. Know you are loved, and we will see you back on July 13th!

​

 

Have a blessed Sabbath,

- Joshua Mitchell