The Essential Rhythm

From a David Smith Devotional … In his book Sabbath, Wayne Muller writes: "All life requires a rhythm of rest … We have lost this essential rhythm. Our culture invariably supposes that action and accomplishment are better than rest, that doing something---anything---is better than doing nothing. Because of our desire to succeed, to meet these ever growing expectations, we do not rest. Because we do not rest, we lose our way. We miss the compass points that would show us where to go … we miss the quiet that would give us wisdom."   

God created the Sabbath to provide us with a moment of rest. I enjoy knowing that there is a day that can provide an opportunity for wisdom, even if we don’t take full advantage. I know I don’t … I live in that culture of action and accomplishment. But I strive to create more of those moments of wisdom, wherever I can.

As the author says in this message: “Our bodies break, our emotions are strained, our spirits empty when we fail to rest. God established the Sabbath to give us a rhythm of rest. We ignore it at our peril.”

I have felt that in my life, as I’m sure most of us have. When I work without ceasing, when I push myself to more and more action, when I drive myself to anxiety and endless stress … I can feel my body start to break, my mind start to strain, my energy start to fail me.

I need to remember that the Sabbath is the holy day of the week, the day we give to God. And if I don’t see Him on that day, really realize He is there for me, am I seeing Him on my other less restful days? I may not, blinded by the cares of the world.

I pray that I learn more about making the Sabbath the day that brings wisdom and not greater frailty of spirit. The day is there for my taking and for my making … for you too.