Sabbath

I have for years been so intrigued by this custom/command of Sabbath. In one sense, sabbath is something to be observed and remembered. On a regular basis, we are to take a sabbath. In another sense, we are actively called to sabbath, to rest, to renew, to be restored. It is actively grounded in choice.

So, here I am...a recovering baptist and recovering minister. Have I kept the law of the sabbath? Have I been a sabbath-keeper or sabbath-breaker? Keeping the sabbath was one of the most difficult things to do as a staff minister. That is why I meet so many pastors who are filled with fatigue and emptiness or filled/high on themselves and their accomplishments. Their souls are parched and restless. I know...I've been there.

So, Melody and I are rethinking "sabbath". What does it look like for us, as a family, to have 24 hours each week of sabbath time? What does it look like to cease, rest, stop, celebrate, and be thankful? What does it look like to not "create" anything yet love the Creator? What does it look like to not "redeem" and rescue someone's heart but rest in my Redeemer? How would life be different?

I don't want my sons to grow up with a distorted view of the sabbath. I don't want them to grow up with strictly a religious understanding and churched view of sabbath. I want them to experience it.

So, here are a few ideas that we have talked about for celebrating sabbath...
*To intentionally set aside and protect a 24 hour block of time each week. (maybe sat. pm to sun. pm, something like that.) I know that this time will not just happen. Melody and I will have to fight for it. All the forces of Satan will attempt to fill and frustrate our plans. We will have to fight for this.
**To develop what is allowed and not allowed during this 24 hour time. Set boundaries. We are not allowed to work, create, do ministry stuff, etc. Work-related emails and phone calls must wait. There should be no cooking, cleaning, or loading the dishwasher (i'm loving this!!!). On this day, we break from having to teach our children and we choose to enjoy them and their presence. We choose some time for aloneness and time for togetherness. We celebrate God as Creator and choose to spend time outdoors. We choose to celebrate God as Redeemer and express gratitude over our redeemed lives and stories.

So, this is early in the process. But we are choosing to intentionally plan toward being sabbath-keepers.