Sabbath

Find a place where you can be quiet and alone. Spend 10 minutes in complete silence, without any form of input (screens, reading, music, or other distractions). As you do, focus on the person of Jesus. If it helps, try to envision him sitting with you. This does not have to be overly imaginative or mystical; you are simply learning to enjoy sitting in God‘s presence. 

As things inevitably come into your mind, simply give them to God and return to a state of rest. Feel free to write those things down so that you don’t worry about forgetting them or to simply help clear your mind and remain focused on Jesus.

Here is an example of how to give these things to God in prayer:

“God, I give ___ to you. I invite you into it, and I trust you with it. Give me wisdom and grace for it. But for now, I want to give you all of my attention and affection.”

Here are some other ideas for your Sabbath today:

• An extended time of worship
• Write a list of things you are thankful for from the past week
• Spend some time outside
• Eat a good meal with someone

Find a place where you can be alone and quiet. Look up Luke 12:21-34 in whatever translation of the Bible you are most used to (use a physical, paper Bible if you have it!). Before reading, pray this prayer:

“God, your Word is true. It is a firm foundation for my life, and I am grateful for it. Please open my heart to your Word and speak to me today.”

Now read through the passage slowly. Next, listen to that same passage spoken audibly using an app or website. Finally, write this passage out in your own handwriting. 

Engaging with scripture in different ways like this can help to understand, memorize, and respond to it. As you continue through your Sabbath today, allow this passage to inspire your prayers and influence your perspective.

Here are some other ideas for your Sabbath today:

• Keep your phone turned off all day
• Read a good book 
• Do a physical activity that you like
• Play a game with your family or friends

Find a place where you can be alone and quiet. Bring something to write with. Reflect on the last month. Begin by listing the happiest moments and the greatest successes of the month.

Next, write out the most disappointing moments and the most difficult moments.

Looking at this list, spend some time thinking through what is in and out of your control. Often, we cannot control our circumstances or how other people act. However, our perspectives, beliefs, behaviors, and personal boundaries are almost always something we can control.

With this in mind, prayerfully consider one thing you need to start doing next month and one thing you need to stop doing in the upcoming month. Ask God for wisdom and guidance as you think this through. Write each of these things down at the bottom of your list, and plan how you can keep these goals in mind over the next month.

Here are some other ideas for your Sabbath today:

• Take a nap or an extended quiet break in the day
• Engage in a hobby that you enjoy 
• Watch a funny or heart-warming movie

Sabbath has many benefits. It teaches us to be present, and trust that God is always present, too. It helps us break free of the idols of productivity and busyness, and to instead find our value in God’s unconditional love. It allows our hearts and minds space to not just escape, but to truly rest—which in turn actually strengthens our ability to work when we return.

But as much of a blessing as Sabbath sounds, starting to practice it can feel overwhelming. Here are a few steps you can take to ease into the practice of Sabbath.

1. Start small. If taking a whole day to Sabbath sounds impossible, start with a smaller time increment. Five minutes is probably too short to experience the benefits of Sabbath, but an hour or two is long enough to let your soul breathe and connect with God in a deeper way.
2. Stay consistent. Choose the same day and time period every time you practice Sabbath of any length. This makes it much easier to plan ahead and adapt to the practice.
3. Make preparations. It’s easy to feel like some things just have to get done. Try to find time to do these kinds of things beforehand, or plan time after, so that you can reap the full benefit of your Sabbath time.
4. Be intentional. Think about how you will Sabbath ahead of time, so that it doesn’t just turn into mental absence or wasted time. Any Sabbath should include elements of ceasing work, finding rest, reflecting on life, and delighting in life.
5. Grow gradually. It takes a couple of months on average for our brains to form new habits. As you practice something small and allow that to become natural, consider increasing your time until you are used to taking a full 24-hour period.

Remember, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.” The longer you practice some form of Sabbath, the more desirable and enjoyable it will become. Let this practice grow in your life not out of obligation or religious affirmation, but out of an increasing experience of God’s grace and blessing!