The Gift of Sabbath: A New Beginning #1607

The Gift of Sabbath: A New Beginning The Sabbath, a gift from God to humans, A day to lay down all worldly burdens, To do Exodus because God's will is fulfilled for humans, It is the day when a new beginning is made, And from this day on, God's will is accomplished on earth. Therefore, the spirit of the Sabbath is consistent with the spirit of the Exodus, It is a day when the great declaration is made That we will be exodus from Egypt every day In the spirit of keeping the Sabbath, And that we will never again be slaves to anything. Not just a day to eat, drink, rest, travel, have fun, or go to a chapel, It is a day when a great new beginning is observed every seven days, A new leap forward is made. It is a day to live life with the spirit of the Sabbath, To be considerate of others, And to enjoy a more blessed life In which everyone lives together, Without being a slave, with the spirit of the Sabbath. The creation of heaven and earth was accomplished in 7 days, The order of God's creation. Walter Brueggemann said, “Sabbath is the celebration of life beyond and outside productivity.” “Sabbath, in the first instance, is not about worship. It is about work stoppage. It is about withdrawal from the anxiety system of Pharaoh, The refusal to let one’s life be defined by production and consumption And the endless pursuit of private well-being.” “For every man, moreover, to eat and drink And enjoy the fruit of all his labor is a gift of God.” “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, And I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, For I am meek and humble of heart; And you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). Sabbath is a gift we desperately need. A day when the great declaration is made, That we will be exodus from Egypt every day In the spirit of keeping the Sabbath, And that we will never again be slaves to anything. Not just a day to eat, drink, rest, travel, have fun, or go to a chapel, It is a day when a great new beginning is observed every seven days, A new leap forward is made. It is a day to live life with the spirit of the Sabbath, To be considerate of others, And to enjoy a more blessed life In which everyone lives together, Without being a slave, with the spirit of the Sabbath. The future of the Sabbath is bright and hopeful, A time when people will truly understand its purpose, A day of rest, renewal, and reflection, A day to reconnect with God and with each other, A day to remember that we are not defined by our work, But by our relationship with the Creator. The problems of the Sabbath as perceived by modern people, Are rooted in a misunderstanding of its true purpose. It is not a day to be busy with activities, But a day to be still and know that He is God. It is not a day to be filled with distractions, But a day to be filled with peace and rest. It is not a day to be consumed with productivity, But a day to be consumed with the presence of God. The future-oriented vision for the Sabbath, Is a vision of a world where people truly understand its significance, A world where the Sabbath is observed not out of obligation, But out of love and reverence for God. A world where the Sabbath is a time of true rest and renewal, A time to be free from the burdens of life, A time to be filled with the peace and joy that comes from being in the presence of God. Written by Steven G. Lee (June 1, 2024)