Time for Sabbath

Joe DeLozier / Pastor of Missions and Mobilization

Recently, while reading the Gospel of Mark, I was prompted to reflect on Jesus’s statement about the Sabbath. Many of us are familiar with the verse in Mark 2:27, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” That verse and a couple of conversations with brothers in Christ had me pondering what it means to have Sabbath, and more importantly am I practicing it with any regularity? Sabbath is resting in the presence of God and spending time with Him, which He eagerly desires!

I was reminded of this in the context of marriage. I’m very thankful to be married to Sue for almost 41 years. However, if I don’t set aside time to be present with her, listen to her, and share my thoughts and ideas with her, what type of a relationship do I have with her? We recently went away for a few days, and it was invaluable to have time for just the two of us, minus the daily routines of life. It was wonderful. We simply enjoyed hanging out together. This is what God is reminding me of. I must be intentional in making time to be with Him, not out of obligation, but for the joy that comes with being with Him.

So, am I practicing Sabbath with any regularity? I would say “yes”, with the caveat that I can do better, just as I can always do better to make more time for Sue!