J.R. Briggs

Practicing Sabbath

May 7, 2010

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It continues to amaze me how many people neglect the command and the gift of Sabbath. Sabbathkeeping is popping up in more and more conversations of late. Speaking from personal experience, it is crucial for me. We don’t practice it perfectly. But truth be told, I’d be a burned out statistic by now if I didn’t keep Sabbath religiously (no pun intended) – although having two young boys now makes it more difficult than before.

But its especially difficult because we live in such a progressively productive culture that values people not for who we are, but for what we do, what we produce and how well we produce it. Those who produce well, efficiently and much are praised and lauded in our culture.

Sabbath is rest.

Sabbath is grace.

Sabbath is paying attention.

Friday is my Sabbath (since Sunday is pretty busy for me in my profession). Six days a week we have a to-do list; but Friday is a day of a to-don’t list. It can be such a gift. We don’t do ministry stuff, we don’t plan meetings, we don’t respond to email or pick up the phone. In fact, we try to eliminate much of technology from our day. We take a nap. We slow down. We go to the park. We blow the day off in the name of God. [NOTE: if you are reading this today I did not write this today. I wrote it earlier this week. I have this post to time release]. It’s not a hard-and-fast, legalistic laundry list of avoidancs

But as great as it is, Sabbath keeping can be hard. People want things from you. They demand things from you. Last Friday I had 9 missed calls – two of them were from people who called me at least twice. Its tempting to want to pick up the phone when it rings. But Friday is a day to trust that this is God’s world, not mine, and he can take care of it. Some weeks, my faith is stretched the most on Fridays as I’m called to do nothing.

Eugene Peterson told me that he had to make an agreement with the church he pastored. From the pulpit he told them: you help me keep my Sabbath and I will help you keep yours. Brilliant. The community caring for each other in order to keep Sabbath.

Two weeks ago Q Conference was in Chicago. I was disappointed that I was not able to attend, but I was able to follow along on Twitter and some blogs who had well documented notes. Matthew Sleeth gave a presentation on Sabbath. Sleeth is writing a book on the Sabbath called 24:6 – brilliant title.

This is what I collected from what he said:

• We live in a 24:7 society.
• Rest doesn’t just happen in a 24/7 world.
• Rest doesn’t happen unless you plan for it.
• One day a week is missing [and it ain’t Monday].
• Sabbath means stop.
• Most of us don’t have a theology of the Sabbath.
• We believe Christ came and freed us from the Law, but Christ came to focus on the intent of the Law.
• Christ says, “I am the Lord of the Sabbath…”
• We’re not meant to save Sabbath, Sabbath is meant to save us.
• We live in day and age that says there are no limits; Sabbath says there are.
• We need to stop and come to know God.
• Rest = figure out what work is for you and don’t do it.
• If you keep the Sabbath, you add 11 years to your life with Lord.

Do you practice Sabbath? If so, what are the benefits?

If not, what keeps you from practicing Sabbath?

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