If you could describe your life right now in three words, what would they be?  Keep these three words in mind as you read on.

One Sunday morning in my junior year of college, I was walking into church just as my mom was walking out.  She looked at me, laughed, and said, “this sermon is for you, girl.”  This is never a fun thing to hear from Mama Donna.  I knew I had to be in for a treat that Sunday.

It just so happened that this semester I was doing the most.  I was trying to balance 15 hours of Chemistry classes, a tutoring job, and interning at the church.  I was a hot mess.  I often forgot things and prioritized anything but school (Donna did not like this).  I also spent most of the semester feeling mildly sick.  I consistently had a low-grade fever and I always felt tired - despite my attempts to cure my qualms with coffee. 

When I got into church that fateful morning, I sat down and was blown away by a message I had never heard before.  The message was about Exodus 20:8 which says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

This may not sound like a wild concept to you, and it didn’t to me at first either.  I knew that church is on Sunday - it’s part of the weekend.  You don’t go to school or work, and Chick-fil-A is closed. 

This message was so different though. See, the word Sabbath comes from a Hebrew word that means “to cease” or “to stop.”  Taking a Sabbath means resting, like really resting, like not doing work even when you’re really, REALLY busy.  Most scholars think that taking a literal Sabbath doesn’t apply in the New Covenant (life with Jesus), but just because something isn’t required, doesn’t mean it isn’t helpful.  Jesus said that His yoke would be easy to bear (Matthew 11:30) and the Lord insisted on a good nap and a snack when Elijah wanted to die from stress (1 Kings 19).

Even more than this, think about the kindness of the Lord to say “take a day off.”  Isn’t it funny how the Creator seems to know what’s best for His creation? 

So, if you could describe your life in three words, what would they be?  I would bet you chose “busy” or “stressed” for at least one of your words.  This week, I encourage you to exchange one of your usual words for "rested" or "relaxed".  Trade the striving and struggling for one day of the week to rest with God. 

I’m still a youngin’ and don’t have too much wisdom to share, but Mama Donna will tell you, taking a Sabbath has significantly changed my relationships and work ethic.  I’ve learned that resting is a kind command and that it takes intentional planning to do it well.  I don’t do it perfectly ever, but I know that this is a rhythm I was meant to keep.

Something I love about Sabbath too, is the way that it makes you reorient your views of self and God.  You realize that the world actually does keep spinning when you stop because someone else has the whole world in His hands.  It’s a reminder to rest in the work Christ has done for us on the cross, and it gives us a taste of the rest that awaits us.

As you wrestle with resting, I encourage you to take a second right now and plan out your ideal Sabbath.  Will you stay home or go somewhere?  Will you spend the day alone or with friends?  Will you read and pray on the couch or take a walk and admire God’s work in nature?  The possibilities are endless, and the command is kind. 

Take a day off!