Weary Sunrise #16

Rest is essential. You can’t be healthy physically, mentally, or spiritually if you don’t take time to unplug and recharge. The biblical mandate is to take one day a week as a Sabbath. I know this, but I have chronically struggled with being  one of those “work all the time” personalities.  

Lately, I’ve been convicted about being more serious about taking a biblical Sabbath after listening to the book audio  The Emotionally Healthy Leader. On their website is a great little article called “4 Steps To A Meaningful Sabbath”

“The problem with too many leaders is that we allow our work to trespass on every other area of life, disrupting the balanced rhythm of work and rest God created for our good.

Sabbath is a twenty-four-hour block of time in which we stop work, enjoy rest, practice delight, and contemplate God.”  4 STEPS TO A MEANINGFUL SABBATH, www.emotionallyhealthy.org

These are the simple guidelines to benefiting from a true Sabbath:

  1. Stop work
  2. Enjoy rest
  3. Practice delight
  4. Contemplate God

If you struggle with finding the peace to take time off,  with practicing Sabbath, Jesus says, “Come to me.” His presence in our lives empowers us to just let go and “let God”.

“Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

In the context of this great promise from Matthew 11, Jesus has just “denounced the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.” (Matthew 11:20).

Then he speaks tenderly to his listeners.

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

My friend, cast your cares upon the Lord and rest in His presence. The Lord be with you today!

SEASON Blog Title

About Season Of Light

I am writing a devotional series called “Season of Light” (#SeasonOfLife) during the beginning of 2016, focusing on the 40 day season of Epiphany (from January 6 – February 10). We’ll explore the major biblical themes of the beginning of Jesus ministry, and I’ll comment as the Holy Spirit inspires. This is for the purpose of growing in our relationship with the Lord. My desire – my hope and prayer for you – is that your heart may expand and your spirit grow brighter as we seek to be filled with the knowledge and presence of God. So, I invite you to join me on the “Season of Light” journey!

Often I’ll be inspired by a scripture from the Daily Audio Bible readings and use that as a writing prompt. Here’s the DAB readings for January 16: Genesis 32:13-34:31; Matthew 11:7-30; Psalms 14:1-7; Proverbs 3:19-20

Our church is also on a reading plan of four chapters per day, starting in the New Testament. Today is Matthew 25-28.