A Different Kind of Sabbath
- The Narrow Path
- Aug 11, 2023
- 2 min read
And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done (Genesis 2:2, NKJV).
I have a good friend that I meet up with for lunch on Fridays every month or so. Although we are sometimes inconsistent because of schedules, sickness, etc. we’ve been doing this for more than five years now. It’s a time I always enjoy and look forward to!
One of the joys is that my friend is almost 80 years old. I consider her a friend, and a mentor. She loves Jesus, loves her family, her friends, and the community of Wilmore, KY that she calls home. The time we spend together is precious.
One Friday afternoon over lunch she asked me a poignant question: When do you sabbath?
In order to better understand the conversation, we must also ask the question: What is sabbath?
If we turn to the pages of Genesis 2:2, we will find our answer: “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.” Sabbath, translated from its original Hebrew meaning, is considered a time of rest1.
As we continued to converse, I further examined the meaning of sabbath. Throughout the week as a physical therapist, I am constantly pouring out to others as I care for them to the best of my ability using the gifts, talents, and knowledge the Lord has given me.
You’ve heard the saying, you can’t pour out from an empty cup. Though I am busy, I spend time on Friday’s doing things that fill my cup. It is a day of active rest WITH Jesus.
On Friday mornings, I write. On Friday afternoons in the summer, I spend time with friends. On Fridays, I eat lunch with friends and dive into deeper connections. On Fridays, I spend time with my family. On Fridays, I take naps.
Though it is a different kind of sabbath, when I allow Jesus to fill my cup, I am able to continue pouring out to others.
What does sabbath look like for you? Maybe it’s a Saturday afternoon spent totally unplugged reading a good book. Maybe it’s a Sunday evening spent serving youth at church. Maybe it’s an early Wednesday morning reading God’s Word in a quiet house while your children are still sleeping.
Though we may all experience sabbath differently, I leave you with this question today: How are you connecting with Jesus in a way that fills your cup?
“Sabbath Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster. Accessed July 21, 2023. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Sabbath#:~:text=Sabbaton%20itself%20traces%20to%20the,(25%3A3%2D5)%3A.
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