Exodus 20:8-10a NLT

'Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work.'

In a secular society it’s hard to differentiate between days. I remember growing up when shops shut lunchtime Saturday and didn’t reopen until Monday. The weekend was a time of peace and quiet. Families gathered for a roast around a table on Sundays. I came to love the quiet, even though on occasion I was bored and longed for some action. Today, retail therapy is a hobby and indeed the whole capitalist enterprise is dependent upon cash passing through tills, either real or virtual. So the very idea of a Sabbath is alien to many.

The word Sabbath means “rest”. Historically the Jews kept Friday night through Saturday as a time reserved for God. They stopped work and rested, taking time to worship God together. This same idea was carried into the Christian Church, eventually settling on a Sunday in recognition of the resurrection.

Initially I treated such days lightly. I didn’t feel I needed a pattern of rest, and kept working. Having worked for myself most of my life, the only boundaries I knew were those I set myself. Yet, I discovered the enjoyment of stepping aside from work and engaging with family. A lot of my challenge was the extent to which my identity, my sense of purpose and destiny was wrapped up in what I did. Slowly, I have come to recognise the blessing and benefit enshrined in these Ten Commandments.

I now take Sunday as a rest day. This includes attending church, for here I engage with my Christian family and with God. I renew my faith commitment through the Eucharist and then once more enjoy a roast with family and friends. This is healing and restorative. The day is dedicated to God, a day of celebration of self-care, love of family and friends as well as renewal of faith and contemplation of the privilege of being known and loved by God.

QUESTION: How well do you rest from work?

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for the gift of work and for the gift of rest. Help me to appreciate both gifts.