There You Are

My family decided to take a day of rest today.  When I write "day of rest," I actually really mean that.  Dustin slept in, the girls ate cereal for breakfast, and we spent the morning enjoying the beautiful day at Homer Lake.  We didn't go to church, I didn't brush the girls' hair, and we didn't prepare lunch.  A DAY OF REST.  Now, I know some people will furrow their brows a bit at that last statement, but, yes, church is work for us-we find no rest in it.  However, we understand the Sabbath to be not just a day of rest, but of a communal experience with God and our world.  It's about slowing down, taking a breath, and saying, "Ah, there you are!"  You center yourself, touch base with reality, which is centered in Jesus Christ.  Spending time in nature, spending time laughing with your family, and creating something are all excellent ways to spend your Sabbath.

Some Sundays may not feel happy and relaxing.  There will be family drama, sickness, certain projects that can only be accomplished on this day, phone calls that must be made, or just a general feeling of discontent/depression because you are in a place in your life in which you do not want to be in.  Nonetheless, you can find peace in Jesus.

 But often times, we plan many exercises on Sunday in order to avoid our reality.  We tell ourselves it must be done, but really, we are avoiding that communal experience with God because who knows what we might see?  Depression at not being better people.  Forced to guilt because we know we need to make a wrong right.  God asking us to do something that is too hard.  Or we are afraid of being really bored.  So instead, we find a way to avoid what the Sabbath is really about.

The Sabbath is Rest from all of that.  On this day, God commands that we rest and center.  We won't be struck by lightning.  We will find peace as we live in the moment.  We will find a fullness and satisfaction as we stop our plans and focus on Him.  We will be given a slight escape from life's problems.  There You Are.

Interestingly, people ask, "What should I do on the Sabbath?  How should I spend the Sabbath to keep it Holy?"  Well, first, stop asking that question.  Let go of the need for plan and action and just BE.  Soon, it will come to you.  But for help to achieve that quietness, here are some ideas:

1. Enjoy nature.  Some people say that the reason we find peace in nature is because nature is always doing God's will.  I am not going to disagree with that, but on a much more practical level, we enjoy nature because nature was our first home.  The houses we live in, on the streets, are our secondary homes, like living in a dorm room in college.  Our souls long for our roots.

2. Don't watch TV or movies, and only briefly check social media.  This isn't one of those tree-hugging philosophies or conservative fasting ideas.  It's just an idea to disconnect in order to make room for healthier relaxation.

3.  Create boundaries.  I set a boundary that on Sundays, I do not communicate with people who usually bring some form of stress into my life, are unpleasant, or rude. You simply don't have permission to talk to me today, I'm centering. Check back on Monday, at which time you can continue to tease me, ignore me, manipulate me (insert whatever problem you must deal with).  Another boundary is to leave work at work.  Don't stew over what the coming week has in store.

4. Create.  In the Christian arena, we have the general notion that all things created much have some official Christianity stamp of approval on it.  This means worship songs, drawing pictures of what Heaven looks like, volunteering at a homeless shelter, etc.  For a long time, I sat and watched better Christians do their thing, because I am not overly musically talented, do not know how to draw, and do not like to randomly talk to strangers. Then I realized that I am not creating for other people, I am creating for GOD.  I truly believe that God has instilled amazing talents in everyone that will continue to make our Earth a more beautiful place-there's no Nobel Prize of Christianity.  So don't worry to what end your creation will come.  Begin to use your hands and heart to make the world a more beautiful place.  It has nothing to do with religion, and everything to do with your experience of living in God's domain and praising Him with who you are.

5. Teach your kids to relax, so you can too.  Kids are like the nemesis to the Sabbath.  Enjoy your kids, but begin to help them understand how we treat the Sabbath to they can at least give you space.  Help them create along side you and instruct them to keep the television off (unless mom and dad need a nap, then, hey, whatever keeps them quiet. ;))  Don't let them rule your day. 

6.  Lay down and take a nap.  We, as a society, are at a complete loss when it comes to the understanding of the need for sleep.  Look at a cat.  Model on the Sabbath.  (Okay, well, at least take ONE nap.)

Sometimes it can feel really boring.  Sometimes it makes me feel isolated.  But it is good to sometimes disconnect from the places and people around you because that is what we need to do to center.  And after awhile, it will feel more normal.

That's what the Sabbath is about-bringing you back to your normal; stepping away from the circus of life and centering back on Jesus Christ.  Start the next week off right. 

xoxo