How To Create Rhythms of Sabbath and Rest
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work (Genesis 2:2).
As God’s creation, we look to our Creator for all things. Even so, living in this world comes with its fair share of challenges, and sometimes we can become so focused on the day-to-day grind that we forget to rest. God Himself rested, and He created rest for us also. This is the Sabbath—a word that means, “rest.”
Sabbath in the New Testament
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).
It can be easy to become distracted from the things of God when we are stifled by the “cares of this life” as Jesus teaches in the Parable of the Sower (See Matthew 13). However, God provides us with a solution—the Sabbath.
The Sabbath is an ancient Jewish custom in which the people of God refrained from all forms of work and turned their hearts toward God. As Christians, we focus on the New Testament understanding of the Sabbath, which is not so much about honoring a specific day, but about putting our trust in God through the Son, Jesus Christ.
Through Jesus Christ, we can find peace and comfort from the hustle and bustle of this life, and in Him there is true rest for the mind, body, and soul.
He also provides us with liberty to keep the Sabbath in a variety of ways. If you’re interested in developing a Sabbath mindset that provides you with much-needed rest, then here are some ways to make this happen.
Decide what your Sabbath looks like.
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 (Colossians 2:16-17).
It’s true that the Old Testament Sabbath came with some strict guidelines, and we can use these guidelines today to help us understand what the Sabbath is about. However, as Christians, we are taught that the law is a shadow of things to come, and in Jesus Christ, we see a deeper meaning according to the heart or Spirit of God. This means that keeping the Sabbath isn’t about following a regulation but about a relationship with God.
What does this mean for you?
Take some time to think about what your Sabbath looks like.
Do you want to designate one day for rest and reflection in Christ, or do you want to set aside sometime each day? How are you going to spend your Sabbath? You might read some scriptures, pray, listen to worship music, spend time alone in nature, or meditate on the things of God while doing something you love.
Prepare ahead of time.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy (Exodus 20:8).
Once you decide what your vision of the Sabbath looks like, take steps toward making it happen—and do your best to stick to it. If you want to spend one day a week away from all forms of work, then make sure everything is taken care of before that day. You might also want a quiet place that you can retreat to, or even some supplies, depending on what you plan to do.
Free yourself from distractions.
The seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work…(Deuteronomy 5:14).
When it’s time for your Sabbath, do your best to rid yourself of all distractions. Turn off your phone, let friends and family know that you need some uninterrupted time, and when non-emergencies arise that tempt you to steal away your rest, ignore them.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
Do you feel like there’s no time for rest? No time for God? No time for yourself? It’s completely okay to ask for help. Designate a household chore to someone else, work fewer hours, or hire someone when possible. It can be difficult to let go, but taking care of yourself and your relationship with God is the fuel you need to do all things.
Learn about how Christian Counseling in Raleigh, NC can help you create rhythms of Sabbath and rest.
Do you struggle with letting go and trusting in God? Do you consider yourself to be a “workaholic?” Does anxiety make it impossible for you to relax? If there is anything getting in the way of your Sabbath, then Christian counseling in Raleigh can help.
Are you interested in a “Christian counselor near me?” Sojourner Counseling is a team of licensed Christian therapists in Raleigh, NC that provides a variety of counseling services for children, teens, and adults. Reach out to us anytime to learn about how we can help you settle into your Sabbath!