Friday, October 30, 2020

Today’s reflection is written by Deacon Karen Katamay.

“Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest.” —Exodus 34:21

Are you able to keep a Sabbath day, where you rest all day and don’t do any work, except maybe just attending worship services? I have trouble doing this. I can maybe set aside part of a day, but a whole day? Ask any mom if they are able to do this. After all, people need to be fed, children need to be taken care of, dishes need to be washed, etc. Even if you are not a mom, I am guessing you have a lot of things that need to get done. The world doesn’t stand still just because it is a Sabbath day!

Jesus understood this, so he reminded us that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). God knows how hard we work and what we deal with every day, so he wants us to take time for ourselves to refresh and recharge. He wants us to rest in him and find inspiration in his word that will carry us through our days and our trials. God wants us to find time to slow down and rest because he cares about us and doesn’t want us to burn out.

So the next time you feel overwhelmed, take a few moments of Sabbath rest. Pray. Read your Bible or a devotion. Sing a hymn or a praise song. Or just sit and center yourself in God. You may find these moments so calming that you will want to do them more. And maybe once in a while you can take a half or whole day for rest.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). May you find your rest in Jesus.