“Sabbath is that uncluttered time and space in which we can distance ourselves from our own activities enough to see what God is doing.”
—Eugene Peterson
Plan Your Sabbath
1. Answer these questions:
What can only you do?
What do you need to rest from?
What is it that causes you delight?
2. Identify a twenty-four hour period. Often sundown to sundown.
3. Prepare in advance.
Rearrange work. Go shopping. Pay bills. Run errands. Complete household tasks. Cook meals. Gather supplies. Decide what is going to be completed and what will be left undone.
4. Prepare your protective container.
I will do these things: read, walk, sleep, call a friend, etc.
I will not do these things: E-mail, social media, work, etc.
On your Sabbath Stop paid and unpaid work. Rest, actual rest that restores and replenishes. Delight in the wonder of creation. Contemplate and ponder the love of God. This is a day holy to the Lord.
Practice Sabbath
1. Use Ritual
Light candles to signify to everyone and yourself that Sabbath has begun or set out something. A stuffed animal, a vase of flowers. Be creative.
2. Pray a Prayer of Blessing
As you set the item out:
“Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has made us holy through his commandments and commanded us to kindle the Sabbath light.”
On all those gathered in your household:
“May God bless you and protect you. May God’s face shine toward you and show you favor. May God look favorably upon you and grant you peace.”
3. Practice Sabbath and enjoy God’s gift to you!
If you find that Sabbath has become a drudgery, a day you dread, then it is time to change your Sabbath. Sabbath is a day to wonder at God’s love and his gifts to us. He is the one who made laughter, love, joy, peace, humor, friendship, smiles, wonder, beauty, and rest. These should be in abundance on your Sabbath. Do things that are restorative, restful and reconciling that reconnect you with yourself, others, creation, and God.
“Then Jesus said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.’” – Mark 2:27-28