Sabbath

The Apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6: 30 - 31 

           

The Woman at the Window                  Salvador Dali, 1925

The Whispering:

Jesus knew.  Jesus knew how tiring it was to be so busy.  He knew what is was like to have people clamoring for his attention: needing money, needing healing, needing to touch him. No peace and quiet. No down time. No day off.

Jesus recognized the need for down time, and knew how hard it is to claim.  

Sabbath time is essential for good health and for perspective. Very often when we take time "off," it is for action packed trips with complicated itineraries - all well and good - but when is there time for this essential Godly rest? Without it, we get road weary. Resentments fester, job performance slips, and relationships suffer.

In the coming weeks, consider how you can carve out a small space of Sabbath time each week. Start by claiming 20 minutes - maybe an hour - for yourself.  

Do it. Dare to do nothing. And dare to dedicate it to God.