by Brandy Webb

Have you ever felt like you were constantly busy? I have been so busy that I can’t believe it is already the end of August, that the Feast is just four weeks away, and I need to get school started. Where did the summer go? 

I sometimes wonder why I am always so busy because sometimes it feels like I’m just running around in circles like a hamster on its wheel. I don’t like being busy all the time because it feels like I am missing out on so much in my life. Time seems to speed up when I am busy, and before I know it, my kids are going to be grown and out of the house. Therefore, I am so grateful for the Sabbath. That is one day every week that I do take a break, spend quality time with my family, and stop the busyness. 

I love the Sabbath! I can’t express it better than that. It is a day of rest and not work. It is a day that I don’t feel like I have to accomplish anything other than spending time with God, my family, and my spiritual family. I absolutely love the Sabbath, and because of this I understand what Jesus meant when He said that the “Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

Our Heavenly Father created the Sabbath during creation week. Why? Well, He wanted a break too, I believe, and wanted to enjoy the fruit of His hard labor that week. Also, He knew that we would need a break to enjoy the fruits of our labor each week. He did make us in His image, so if He likes to rest, He knows we will like to rest also.

Now, some may think I am being legalistic by observing the Sabbath Day. I do not know how one can call resting being legalistic. Plus, I don’t think we would intentionally break the other nine commandments and think that by keeping them we are being legalistic. Also, please do not accuse a Sabbath-keeper of tying to earn salvation by keeping the Sabbath. I doubt any of us refuses to steal in hopes that we will earn our salvation. We all follow God the best way we know how. We are His children, and we want to live lives that are pleasing to Him, not because we think this will earn us salvation, because salvation is a gift from God. We strive to live righteously because we have received salvation and to show how grateful we are for it and how much we love God.

I am also not going to try to convince those who do not want to keep the Sabbath to start keeping it. My job on earth is to live as an example of Christ the best way I know how with the understanding that I have. My job is not to try to force my understanding and beliefs onto others. This is one thing as Christians we need to understand. We aren’t going to agree on everything, but that should never stop us from loving each other and treating each other with respect. Okay, enough of disclaimers.

I just wanted to share how much I enjoy the Sabbath Day. God, in His infinite wisdom, told us to take a day off because He knew we are weak vessels that need a day of rest. We also need a reminder each week that God is the One that gives us everything, even rest. The Psalms say it beautifully, “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep” (Psalms 127:2). Our Father wants us to rest.

The Sabbath also pictures the coming rest for God’s people (Hebrews 4:9). It is a reminder of what is to come when we can finally rest from all the weary toil that we have done in this life. The Sabbath is special and unique from all the other days for me. I absolutely love the Sabbath, and I thank God for creating it for us.