“Disclaimer”: The article below was composed when pondering God’s provision to His own of the Sabbath. Those who know me know I am not speaking of a legalistic keeping of the seventh day but am espousing the need to revel in, not regret, a day to keep distinct from the rest of the week.
Recess! Run, laugh, jump, play! If you ask elementary children what their favorite class is in school, a lot of them say “recess”. It’s the feeling of being released from having to do something hard for a while. And it feels good and natural to work hard, but to let go for a bit; work hard again, then let go again.
And the One Who “tinkered” and put us together so knows we function this way, also gave us week-long cycles with “Let-go Days” at their ends, Recesses called Sabbaths.
I rarely hear schoolchildren saying, “Recess? Do I have to?” But that’s what a lot of adults—who are supposed to be smarter—do. And they go on studying or working, although the Creator knows they were made to best operate on work and rest cycles, and they’re headed for physiological strain, relational problems, and all sorts of complications without “Recess”.
Scripture tell us to call the Sabbath a Delight. If you look into the word “delight,” it refers to letting yourself luxuriate. So, really, people shouldn’t look on the Sabbath as forced deprivation from the chance to make money.
Of course, like children at recess bell, who first run out the doors and jump into the open, on our “Let-Go Days”, we too can know the freedom to soar into the heavenlies and gaze into our Heavenly Father’s face. And it’s a day to marinate (for real; slow cooking can be done when there’s time!) That call you wanted to make; the article you wanted to read, the attachment you wanted to fix; the irritation that needed to be attended to—there’s time to take care of it all today: it’s a Sabbath! Let lubricating oils spread over equipment and comfortable dependability seep back into the battered soul (one day’s restoration after a week’s battle is not overpampering!)
Even one day’s rest can give a person more shine, strength, and decisiveness…than trying to grind on nonstop because one can’t afford to pause!
There’s the bell. End of recess; hey, that felt good! Gotta buckle down and get back to work now. Wonder what’s new?
