A Sabbath For Hypocrites

First of all, I am a hypocrite.   I am going to talk about Sabbath, all while it appears I may be violating mine.  I'm not quite sure.  But just in case, I'll make it short.

I'm writing this post to save myself.  I need a reminder of the need for Sabbath--an intentional, regular rhythm of resting, ceasing, feasting and embracing.  

A subtle shift has occurred in my life over the last month.  I am now fully engaged in my new life.  I'm busy.  And panicked.  And at the core I believe the lie that I will need to keep working harder and faster in order to do everything God has for me to do.  

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/raoulpop/477873603/">Raoul Pop</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">cc</a>

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I've got it backwards.

There is a subtle shift that needs to take place in my thinking. (Subtle shifts can go both ways.) Marva Dawn explains it so eloquently in her book The Sense of the Call.  

"...glorious patterns repeated in the creation liturgy of Genesis 1...suggest that, rather than working our heads off to gain some days of holiday, we rest first and then, out of the Joy of that rest, work for the next six days.  Grace reclaims us first, and out of its freedom we respond with our work."  

Sabbath is the beginning, the gift--not the end.  

So here I am--blogging on Sunday.

I haven't decided if this is work or rest.  Now that I'm a writer (apparently, if you write stuff, you can call yourself a writer), the line is a bit blurred.  The act of writing isn't the issue, it's the motive.  Part of blogging these days is to continue to develop my craft, to tell the story of God in my life and encourage the heart of the Saints.  All good things.  But they do not fall under the category of Sabbath.  Writing is something I do "the rest of the week".  And, even as I pen this it seems glaringly clear that practicing a ceasing of writing would make for more substantive, Spirit-directed content during the week.   

Don't forget the feasting.

Since it's not just about ceasing, but about fully enjoying God, I can enter in to truly renewing activity.  A walk along the ocean, a nap, a good book, a drive through the redwoods, good music, a glass of wine, ice cream, phone calls to family and friends.  

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No Excuses!  If you're like me, you've already dismissed this idea as a good idea, but not really practical.  There is simply too much to do.  Women are notorious for the this excuse--"I can't relax if I know there is work to be done!"  How ridiculous!  There is always work to be done.  

But more importantly, there is always time to accomplish what God has called us to do--including his call to Sabbath.  Do you believe that?  I think I do, but it's largely untested in my life.  So I'm committing to take one action--I won't blog on Sunday.  Frankly, that's a small sacrifice (I'll write it on Saturday and schedule the publication for Sunday), but it's a step toward trust.  And obedience.  And freedom.  And rest.  What is God inviting you to?  I'd love to hear about it.