I once heard John Mark Comer talk about the importance of keeping the Sabbath, honouring a day of rest. He shared a common sentiment - his life was very busy with many demands for his time. (I'm sure you can relate!) But the key for him was protecting that day of rest. He said something to the effect of "I can do this (whatever the day or week demanded of him) because I know that Sabbath is coming," and/or, "I can do this because I just observed the Sabbath and I am ready." I've never forgotten it.

It was brought to my mind this morning as I sat quietly in my kitchen with my Bible and a cup of coffee (a winning combination indeed). It was early, my kids weren't up yet, the street was quiet outside my kitchen window and I was just still for a moment. My time and attention have been fragmented in the past few weeks, that's just the season of life I'm in right now. There are more things on my to-do list than minutes to accomplish them. But as I read the Word and gave the day to God, I had peace.

John Mark's comment came back to mind. I knew that the day was going to be okay because I had a moment of Sabbath before it began. I also know as I go through the rest of the day I can keep working away at whatever challenge pops up next because another moment of Sabbath is coming soon.

Yes, I believe that we should strive for a day of rest and that we were not built to work 24/7. We need healthy rhythms in our lives. But, there is also a reason that spiritual disciplines have been practiced by believers since the Early Church. We need built-in moments of pause and stillness so that we can hear what the Spirit is speaking to us, for pointing our lives toward worship, and to learn to rely on His strength and not our own. We need daily Sabbath.

Let me encourage you to build these kinds of practices into your day. You don't know what each day will bring but you can always know where your strength is coming from.

Blessings,
Pastor Tracy