Soul Sabbath
There is a gap the size of eternity can that exist between knowing what is true and believing what is true. The distance between hearing and entering is the doorway of faith. Just as God rested from His works on the seventh day, He invites us to rest from our work of trying to get ourselves together.
One of the secrets to Soul Strength is discovering the power of Sabbath Rest. Rest reaches deeper and spills wider that merely taking time off from work or going to church on Sundays. It’s not bound to following the rules, and it has little to do with being religious. Neither is rest concerned with sleeping better or taking more time off.
Sabbath rest is a unique concept altogether. God rested from His work of creation; He rested because the work was finished. Sabbath rest is a spiritual rest, a cessation from our works to earn righteousness.
Thanks to Christ, we no longer have to do the righteous work of keeping the law. Christ has finished this work. Entering God’s rest, the grace offered in salvation, means that we no longer need to work to attain salvation and acceptance from God.
What a relief to know that we no longer have to work at keeping the law with the blood and sweat of our own goodness.
Mark Buchanan explains the rest of God:
Sabbath is both a day and an attitude to nurture such stillness. It is both time on a calendar and a disposition of the heart. It’s a day we enter, but just as much a way we see. Sabbath imparts the rest of God—actual physical, mental, spiritual rest, but also the rest of God—the things of God’s nature and presence we miss in our busyness” (Mark Buchanan, The Rest of God p.3.
He continues, showing that Sabbath rest is not just a space on the calendar or a day of the week.
“But when I say Sabbath, I also mean an attitude. It is a perspective, and orientation. I mean a Sabbath heart, not just a Sabbath day. A Sabbath heart is restful even in the midst of unrest and upheaval.” —The Rest of God, p. 4.
Soul, how can you discover the rest of God today?
So glad you're here. I help busy women—gals like you— build healthy habits for living well with biblical wisdom and practical steps to deepen your faith, increase your hope, and thrive in your purpose.
Yes, I must admit I feel as if I live in the chasm more than the rest that comes from really making a soul connection with the reality of God’s love and faithfulness. I have tried not to be so busy now that in married, but if it’s not my schedule, is my husband’s. The thought of an entire day of Sabbath… I’m like, “How? How is that even possible?”
Isn’t it? When I was first married, I moved to join my marine husband, leaving my job behind. We were able to build a new routine together without the challenge of putting two well established jobs, friends, routine’s together. I love the way Buchanan talks about Sabbath as a disposition of the heart, learning to rest without it becoming a legalistic act of do’s and don’ts.
“Sabbath rest is a spiritual rest, a cessation from our works to earn righteousness.” Oh, my, what a concept! Thank you, Ginger, I needed this understanding today. Blessings on your Sunday.
Before reading Buchanan’s book, I had never thought of rest from that perspective. Excellent book, and he is an extraordinary word crafter. Thanks so much for being a regular neighbor at Ginger’s corner!
This spoke to me today, Ginger: “I mean a Sabbath heart, not just a Sabbath day.” It’s on the inside, not the outside…and the more we bridge that gap, the more restful we become. I’ve learned the quickest way for me to cross the gap is obedience…especially when I don’t understand.
Thank you for sharing!
I love how you put that–the rest is on the inside. Hoping you have some great times of true rest.
What a beautiful reminder. And so easy to forget in our everyday, crazy lives. Thank you for joining our Joy linkup.
xo*tricia
Thanks for visiting today. May you find many beautiful moments of rest.