Day 68. I have chosen to live intentionally toward the goals, dreams and desires God has placed on my heart for the last 90 days of this year, pressing past fear, excuses and discomfort toward fullness of life as we countdown to 2020. Day 68: sabbath
Six days of work, creating, driving, cultivating, building, razing, rising, fighting, persevering, and one day of rest: Sabbath. Sabbath is a reminder it’s not all mine to carry. Sabbath is a reminder the God who is with me, for me and near me, steps in and continues to do the work when I stop to rest and receive. Sabbath is a reminder that God is God, and I am not. Crash. I am not God. Crash. I know this truth, but more often than not Sabbath finds me crashing into it.
Muscles tired from overworking. Brain tired from overthinking. Spirit tired from overreaching, trying to control that which is beyond my control. Sabbath comes, and it is hard to lay down the responsibility I have held so tightly throughout the week. It is hard to trust and surrender all the battles I am fighting mind, body and soul for myself, my loved ones and the pursuit of God’s kingdom in the world.
Crash. I am struck by how much re-orienting my soul requires after just six days. Sabbath comes with a disruptive weight, rush and saturation. As a recovering workaholic, I too often resist daily rhythms of slowing, resting and receiving—rhythms that overflow from the Sabbath and saturate my week with life-giving water and the truth that I am loved, held and not alone. These rhythms ready my soul to receive the good gifts God has to give. They prepare me to stand amidst the deluge of God’s love, kindness, mercy, grace-filled encouragement and correction as I open my hands to receive the Sabbath.
This is the crashing. It is crashing into God’s ever-present, loving kindness and grace, and receiving the loving Father who says, “I love you. I have it all. You can let it go and trust me. You can rest now. Let it go.” It feels violent and disruptive at times, but if I can receive and surrender, the crashing of such love washing over me, awakens me, renews me, and reminds me I am not alone, reminds me I am not God, and I am found in something greater than myself.
ACTION STEPS: When we struggle to receive the gift of the Sabbath, it can feel violent and disruptive once we do. Rest can feel unnatural and receiving God’s love and care for us can be challenging.
Each day God invites us to stand in his great love, mercy and kindness. Where in your life do you need to hear God say, “I love you. I have it all. You can let it go and trust me. You can rest now. Let it go.” Where can you receive God’s invitation to rest today?
