Sabbath Rest Takes Time

By Brenda Jank

What does Sabbath rest look like in the 21st century?

It has a lot to do with honor. Four things come to mind. We will start with one today. 

#1 Honor the Sabbath with Our Time

If God says I can accomplish my work in six days, who am I to say I can’t?

• Learn to honor the work that gets done each week and trust God with all that didn’t. We rest because he “says so,” not because our work is complete.
  
  
• The Sabbath is designed to be anticipated. The day before our Sabbath is an important day. It takes forethought. It demands discernment between tasks that are a must do and tasks that are a like to do. When our Sabbath rest is upon us, we have an opportunity to lay down what did not get done and lift up (as a gift of thanksgiving) what did. This moment of surrender unlocks the door for me to be refreshed by the rest God has waiting for me to enjoy.
  
  
• As we begin to explore Sabbath Keeping through a biblical worldview, 24 hours may feel unrealistic. Some of us are familiar with rest. Some of us are not. If you are new to rest, go easy on yourself. Committing to “shorter blocks” of time may allow you to keep the momentum going without becoming discouraged and throwing in the towel. We encourage people to take steady steps in the right direction. What day works best for you? Maybe it is a weekend day, but maybe it is not. We like to encourage people to focus on a 7-day rhythm – a time and day your heart can count on.
  
  
• Start by prioritizing a 2, 3, or 4-hour block of time. And, if you can only manage an hour, start there! Tell others about your NEW Sabbath Rest plan so that they can help guard and protect this time for you. Set your heart on receiving everything God has for you. As time moves on, claim growing blocks of time.
  
  
• God meets us where we are and takes us where He wants us to be. Rest is not an all-or-nothing deal. Rest is blessed, no matter the amount.

This week, when will your Sabbath Rest take place? Can you set aside 2 hours, 4, 8, 12, 24?

However you begin, begin. That’s the key. Then savor it–guilt-free and infused with joy.

Fall 2024 Event Dates 

Are you tired of being tired? Is your team? Your pastor? Your friends? We have 6 opportunities for you to take part in A Rest That Works this October in Northeast Indiana. Join us! We would love to have you. Events vary in cost depending on the amount of sponsorship we were able to secure.

• Friday, October 11 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana . . . . . Ministry Event

9:00 – 11:15 AM
1:00 – 3:15 PM

• Thursday, October 17 in Albion, Indiana . . . . .  Community Event

9:00 – 11:00 AM
1:30 – 3:30 PM

• Tuesday, October 29 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana . . . . . Community and Ministry Event

9:00 – 11:00  Community Event
1:00 – 3:00    Ministry Event

Learn More and Register here  

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Consider purchasing Vantage Point: A New View of Rest, Rhythm, and the Work of God for yourself or others. 7,000 copies are transforming lives all around the world. Click here to learn of purchasing possibilities

Note: This post is Post #11 of our original series on rest and restoration. We are reposting some of our favorite articles because we believe they’re just as important today as ever. We hope you’re challenged to think of rest in a fresh, new way and will invite others to join in.

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Brenda Jank and the Run Hard. Rest Well team. are thought leaders in the arena of Restorative Wellness. Find additional resources at www.RunHardRestWell.org. Contact us at: brenda@runhardrestwell.org

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