Sabbath Practice #2: Enjoy Rest

“God rested after his work of creation. Every seventh day, we are to do the same (Genesis 2:1-4). We engage in activities that restore and replenish us – from napping, hiking, reading, and eating good food to enjoying hobbies and playing sports. The key is to rest from both paid and unpaid work.”
-Peter Scazzero, The Emotionally Healthy Leader, p.147

Last week, we looked at what it means to stop working, to take a break from both paid and unpaid work. This week, we’re looking at the second Sabbath practice: enjoy rest.

One thing that I have found particularly helpful is to keep an ongoing list of things that help me to feel rested and restored. I’ve found that what helps me in one season of life sometimes changes in another season.

These days, I have found outside activities to be restful: hiking, biking, swimming, or going for a walk. Something that has been on my list for years has been reading a good book.

I’ve often been surprised at how much intentionality it takes to figure out what helps me to rest. If I’m not intentional, I spend my whole Sabbath watching TV or browsing social media (neither of which usually leave me feeling rested).

So the invitation this week is to begin to define your “will” and “will not” list for Sabbath-keeping. What will make Sabbath different from business as usual on the other six days of the week? What do you need to do (or not do) to protect your ability to rest on this day? What will leave you feeling rested?

Grace and peace,