Practicing Sabbath

As believers, we’re all familiar with the concept of sabbath. Introduced in the Ten Commandments, sabbath was one of the many lifestyle choices that set the Jews apart from the rest of the world. After Jesus’ resurrection, believers began to celebrate the sabbath on Sunday as a way to remember and celebrate Jesus’ victory over sin and death. Sabbath is clearly part of who we are as Christians—but is it still meaningful, possible and something we should practice today?

In a word, the answer is yes. Here’s why.

Sabbath is an act of obedience.

The creation accounts of Genesis show us a God who labored for six days, then rested on the seventh. Did God need to rest? No. Scripture tells us he neither sleeps nor slumbers. God exists outside of time, so in choosing to take a sabbath rest, he wasn’t taking a break for his own benefit; he was resting for our benefit. We are finite beings who are bound by time, who need rest—physically, mentally and spiritually. To practice sabbath is to agree with God and obey the pattern he has set out for us.

Sabbath is an opportunity to rest—in God.

Maybe like some of us, you’ve associated the idea of sabbath with taking a Sunday afternoon nap. While physical rest is definitely an element of what it means to practice sabbath, it’s not all that we’re called to do. Taking one day a week away from the toil of our work is to actively choose to rest in God’s ability to provide for you. When we rest from work each week, it is a physical reminder to ourselves and those around us that we cannot do it all on our own—and even if we could, we are trusting God to take care of us.

Sabbath is an act of resistance against oppression.

As Ruth Haley Barton says in her excellent book Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest, practicing sabbath is a way to resist “a culture that brainwashes us into thinking that good things come only through unceasing determination, tireless human effort and always being plugged in” (p. 31). Addicted to social media? Bound by a schedule that is always full? Compelled to constantly check and answer emails or texts? Taking a break for one day from the things that our culture values or says are most important is a chance to display our allegiance to God and live our lives according to what he says is valuable. Want to be countercultural in a society that worships busyness and productivity? Practice sabbath.

In this season when we’re focusing on simplicity, there’s no better time to start practicing sabbath in your own life. This week, take stock of a few of the things that feel oppressive in your life, from work activities to social media or tasks around the house. What steps will you take this week to pause from those things this upcoming Sunday?

Do you practice sabbath? What first compelled you to make sure the practice was part of your rhythm of life? Tell us in the comments.

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