Reflection: When Christians respond to God’s call for justice, to care for those in need, and to repair the broken corners of our world, we must include rest as part of the mission. Just as there is a false type of ‘fasting’ or devotion, so too can we sometimes perceive the Sabbath as a day for doing what we want. Instead, we must recognise that in the midst of this picture of flourishing, God commands us to see the Sabbath—that is, the day of worship and rest—as a delightful and holy day. We are not to ‘go our own way’ or turn off our brains in
idleness. Rather, we are to set aside consistent time with him and his people to rediscover joy in our Gracious Lord. After all, Sabbath is closely linked to the Hebrew word “shalom”, which means all-encompassing peace, whole, complete. To seek the “shalom” of others, we need the joy of Sabbath.
Question: How can you keep the Sabbath as a delight and holy day?
Prayer: Lord, you are the God of every day, yet you invite us to set aside the Sabbath to
rest and delight in you wholly. May we find our joy in you every Sabbath so that we may worship you with all of our lives, for Christ’s sake. Amen.