Lenten Devotional – March 17, 2023

Friday, March 17, 2023
Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner
Lenten Devotional by Macy Kennedy
Sabbath Defined

“The Sabbath is a basic unit of Christian time, a day the Church tries to devote to reverence of God and rest from toil.” – Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner

God commands the Sabbath in Exodus saying, “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” The theme of rest is also seen in the creation story of Genesis when God rests on the seventh day. Sabbath is total cessation from work and world and an orientation toward God. Jewish culture does not allow any work or creation on Sabbath, for when we stop interfering in the world, we acknowledge that it is God’s world. Sabbath is a mark of time, a separation from the rest of the week. We are commanded to keep the Sabbath “holy” which literally means “set apart”, and we should observe Sabbath time as distinct from the rest of the week. We are meant to remember the Sabbath during the week and observe the Sabbath on the Sabbath day – for us Christians, on Sunday. When we honor the Sabbath, we honor God.

Sabbath is easier said than done. Life is demanding and we have things to do. It might seem impossible to dedicate all of Sunday to only worship and rest, but I encourage you to try. Ways this can be done are making sure any deadlines or chores for the week are finished by Saturday, eat leftovers so you don’t have to cook (unless cooking brings you great joy!), leave dishes for the next day or eat on paper plates for no clean-up. The main point is to dedicate the day to God, family, and things you enjoy. This will make room for rest and renewal mentally, physically, and spiritually. If all of Sunday is too big an ask, try dedicating units of time every day for Sabbath. Set aside 5-30 minutes, meditate, go for a walk, journal, draw, pray, drink a cup of tea, be still, take a nap. Do anything except work. Set apart time to honor God and rest in His grace.

Blessing:
Remember the Sabbath Day, Jan Richardson
Even in the Desert, even in the wilderness, Sabbath comes. May you keep it. Light the candles, say the prayers: Welcome, Sabbath. Welcome, rest. Enter in and be our guest.