Day of Rest

https://odb.org/MY/2023/03/22/permission-to-rest

I recall dealing with modern-day religious Jews in contract negotiations. As they hold Israeli passports, they couldn’t enter Malaysia, and thus, our face to face meetings were either held in Bangkok or Singapore. Besides kosher food, these religious Jews were strict adherents to observing their Shabbat, and thus, they will begin their journey back to Israel from Thursday night as Shabbat was from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. They will thus travel back to Asia on Sunday, and we will meet again to finalise the contract from Monday to Thursday. I recall having been fascinated by their exemplary dedication towards their day of rest. Of course, the Shabbat in the Jewish context is not just a day of rest but also a time to read the Scriptures with the family, a time to worship God.

Although as believers we were raised with the same Old Testament laws as the Jews, we do not take the observance of the Shabbat or Sabbath as religiously. However, for most of us, we do dedicate Sundays for God’s work in terms of going to church, worship, cell group meetings, and maybe stealing a moment of rest or two. But rather than rest, we are usually very busy with ministry and churchwork on Sundays. Sometimes, we use Sunday evenings to catch up with friends and family or do visitations.

In our modern-day work, which at times requires us to attend to work matters, even on weekends, it is good whenever possible to just have moments of rest on Saturdays and Sundays to just stay home and spend time with family. It may not be possible to enforce a full day since we are busy on Sundays with church, and usually Saturdays are filled with practices for Sundays; we should nevertheless try whenever possible to just chill at home for some patches of time. Maybe cook a meal together or do some cleaning at home or gardening. For those days without church activities on a Saturday, perhaps Saturday could be our day of rest. A day to spend time with God and family. To recharge before the work week starts again on Monday.

Our Heavenly Father, when He did the work of creation, completed it in 6 days, and He rested on the 7th day. He had appointed one day as a day of rest. We should likewise have our own day of rest, and if our circumstances permit, we should emulate the religious Jews who religiously adhere to and keep their Shabbat. If we can’t, just enforce for ourselves some period of rest, perhaps Saturday mornings and afternoons? Or even Sunday afternoons? Have a time of rest with family and use it to fellowship and worship God within the confines of our homes.