Scripture teaches that God’s six days of creation, followed by a day of rest, was given as a healthy pattern for the Israelites to follow (Exodus 20:9-11; cf. Exodus 34:21 and Deuteronomy 5:13-14). While Christians differ on matters relating to the Sabbath, most agree that a weekly rhythm of work and rest is beneficial.
Whatever your views on the Sabbath, I recommend intentionally taking time each week to rest the body and nourish the soul. While it cannot always be neatly calendered, there is wisdom in regularly pulling back from the pressing demands of ministry. With this in mind, here are four suggestions to build Sabbath rest into your routine:
1) Have A Regular Day Off
If the Creator of the universe thought it wise to build a day of rest into the week, we are wise to do the same. Most of our church members have a day off, and they know that Sunday can be one of our busiest days. For this reason, many expect us to schedule a day off. And, while funerals or emergencies may preclude our taking that planned day, we can usually take a different day that week or build in a few “Mini-Sabbaths” (see suggestion #4).
2) Avoid Your Usual Work
We all find joy in different things, but it is wise to avoid our usual work routine on our day off. We can save that sermon preparation for another day and resist the temptation to busy ourselves with other ministry matters. If we fail to do this, our day off is not a day off!
3) Enjoy Restful Activities
I don’t want to suggest a one-size-fits-all approach to Sabbath rest. Some find washing the car and cleaning the gutters a relaxing activity. And, to be sure, some responsibilities must be taken care of on our day off. But we should try to leave the day as open as possible to things we’ve been “too busy” to do. It’s an excellent opportunity to be still, take a walk with family, listen to music, sleep, read a book, go fishing, or do whatever it is that gives you life. You may even consider “unplugging” from the internet, especially if social media and the 24-hour news cycle get your heart pounding for the wrong reasons.
4) Take “Mini-Sabbaths”
Ministry is unpredictable, and sometimes the weeks are unusually full. When this happens, consider the value of “Mini-Sabbaths.” Even amid a stressful day, we can usually find enough time to locate a quiet room somewhere to be still and rest. There’s no shame in taking a quick nap during these times or finding a park bench where we can sit and relax for a few minutes. “Mini-Sabbaths” go a long way to refreshing the soul.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
(Matthew 11:28)
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