The Simple Joys of Sabbath Rest

By Brenda Jank

Sabbath Rest in the 21st century begins with honoring the Commandment and its Creator. We took a look at the first, 2 “Codes of Honor” in posts found on August 20 and 27, 2024. We will continue now with #3. 

#3 Honor Yourself

Does joy find an anchored place in your life? Are you familiar with activities that are delightful and restorative? It’s a powerful combination. Most of us know what we enjoy, but sometimes those activities aren’t necessarily restorative. Experiment. Try out some activities that are both enjoyable and restorative. Not sure where to begin? Ask yourself … 

• “What do I need?”
• “What does my family need, when it comes to resting well?” 
• “Where am I running on the fumes of an empty tank?”

After living through this past week, does one particular need rise above the others? Are you feeling physically depleted? Spiritually dry? Emotionally empty? Relationally weary or wanting? Don’t gloss over this list. Ask yourself these questions. It’s an important place to begin.

Then prioritize those needs as much as possible. Some of us are facing overwhelming challenges that have us “in-over-our-heads.” Sabbath Keeping during these intense seasons of life must be sculpted by a level of immense creativity and commitment. It gives the word “challenging” new meaning, but it is possible. (Stay tuned. Infusing quiet into chaos is a topic near and dear to my heart.)

Top Picks to consider

• Sleep. Prioritize it. Enjoy it. Feel no guilt.
• Do what delights you. Find pleasure in simple things.
• Unplug.
• Tag team. If you have small children, tag team a kid-free, 2-hour getaway to catch your breath. It is often a win/win.
• Don’t cook. I don’t! But please do, if it is a source of joy and delight.
• Get outside. Make this a priority.
• FFF “Forced” Family Fun” may not work. It never did for us, but it sure does for some families. We did enjoy a few simple traditions. “Junk Food” Sunday suppers of popcorn and ice-cream. (The kids got some protein and some fiber!)  Dad loved to make pancakes at some point on the weekend, and when our kids were young, we roasted mini-marshmallows with toothpicks over candles. Add in Golden Graham cereal and chocolate chips and we’d have mini s’mores and lots of fun. At Christmas time we still pull out our candles and toothpicks!
• Enjoy the people you love. Sometimes the hardest job of our lives is learning how to like the people we love. It is worth the effort and a call of God in our lives.
• Enjoy the presence of God. On a walk, in a closet, through worship, with a friend, on your knees, by a stream, in the Word.

Allow your heart free reign to dream. Then set a course.

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  

Did you like this post?
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Take note of the date. Feel free to visit the Blog Page to explore the entire series.  

Would you like to explore the series at your own pace?
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 #13 of our original series on Rest, Rhythm, 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 that you will cast the vision and invite others to join in on this life-giving journey.

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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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