Sabbath Thing

Or,  sabbathing:

To better understand the how, I would first like to explain my why.

No, I am not physically Jewish. No, I am not bound in any way by the Jewish Law. Yes, I am spiritually Jewish, Abrahamic by faith, circumcised in heart, grafted into the Vine. For me the scriptures do not in themselves have life, but, rather they point to and testify of the Life. And this is why I observe a spiritual or grace Sabbath. I am not legalistic about it. I see it as a routine blessing in my life, as are meals, sleep, fasting, exercise, work. When I do miss it, I feel a loss.

The command to remember the sabbath includes the command to work 6 days as well as the command to rest from that work. I just heard a rabbi describe how the Romans considered the Jews lazy because, in addition to all of their festivals, they took a day of rest every week (sounds like some Americans, the workaholics.)

As with waiting, rest does not mean inactivity, nor does it mean not working. Jesus, when accused of violating the Jewish sabbath said, “My Father is working until now, and so I work.” He also asked the rhetorical, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath?” and stated, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.” We, also, are working still and sabbath is crucial (from “cross”) to working out what God is working in us. It is a dying to and releasing of the illusion of control, of the thought if we don't do it, it won't get done, of trusting that he is able and knows best, and, that in resting, we are trustingly entering into and looking forward to the Rest we both now have in part and will one day have in full.

So this is how those things translate practically for this Gentile, adopted Jew.

Maintaining the Jewish idea of a day beginning at sunset, I start at 6:00ish Saturday evening and go until 6:00ish Sunday evening.

I tend to listen to music that reminds me of Whose I am and who I am. I have a variety of reading material that, along with the scriptures, also directs me to remember what God has done and is doing for me.

This carries through Sunday morning worship/communion and into Sunday afternoon recreation with family and friends. It includes everything from spiritual discussion and sermon reflection to playing and watching games.

When done correctly, it is bathed in prayer. It is not perfect, that is why I practice it.

RE-phrased:
Reflection and remembering lead to to a refreshing and rejoicing rest and re-creation, a renewing of the body, mind and spirit in prayerful preparation for the week ahead.

Linking to The Giving Place