Soul Rest: 7 Days To RenewalSample

SABBATH

Seeking to be generous toward others in anonymity reveals to us the true motivations of our hearts around our desire to give. We remember that God has given graciously toward us in so many ways that we do not deserve, and it fills our hearts with gratitude for Him. Giving also helps us to remember that it is God and God alone who sustainably supplies those who are in need. It is not our work which produces righteousness. God has ordained that we would stop and rest to truly consider His love, grace, and provision. While we are resting, God is still working. 

Today, on our final day, we will engage in a day of Sabbath. This may be a new rhythm, so it might not feel natural to fully engage in the day. It may look like taking the family for a hike and discussing the majesty of God’s creation. Maybe it’s reading the Scriptures and attending a worship gathering to acknowledge His glory. Practicing the Sabbath helps us identify how we’ve attempted in our own strength to achieve or accomplish what we think brings us rest and fulfillment. The Sabbath also helps us to stave off the idol of productivity. When we stop our laboring and remember the Sabbath, we remember the significant work that happened on the cross. When we remember what we’ve been rescued from, we will celebrate the rescuer. 

Caution: Because this is a new practice, you may feel like you don’t know how to properly Sabbath and, thus, would rather not attempt it at all. Remember that the true intention is not for us to please God by practicing the Sabbath but to find rest as a result of His gift of the Sabbath for us. 

A great benefit of Sabbath keeping is that we learn to let God take care of us—not by becoming passive and lazy, but in the freedom of giving up our feeble attempts to be God in our own lives.

MARVA DAWN 

There’s nothing selfish about Sabbath, rest & self-care. We can’t give what we don’t have.

EUGENE CHO 

The Sabbath is God’s stand against the tyranny of always having to say yes. The Sabbath is God’s gift of a no to us in our obsessive, compulsive patterns of living.

A.J. SWOBODA 

The Sabbath is God’s sign-post, pointing not only to his goodness toward all men as their Creator, but also to his mercy toward his chosen people as their Redeemer.

THE BAKER ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE BIBLE 

If you've enjoyed this plan and would like to continue the conversation, check out my book Soul Rest: Reclaim Your Life. Return to Sabbath.  Or, connect at soulrestbook.com.