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| Portrait of Nat King Cole, New York, N.Y. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Occasionally, on Sundays after church, I stop off at the supermarket to pick up something I'd forgotten. Today was one of those days. I was surprised at how crowded the place was. When I was growing up, Saturday was shopping day. Oh, I know things have changed. People work on Saturdays and even on Sundays, in some cases. Which brings me to the topic of rest.
Seventh Day Adventists observe Saturday as the Sabbath, and they do nothing except go to church on that day. This is according to the third commandment which God gave to Moses in which He said, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" (Exodus 20: 8).We Christians who worship on Sunday very rarely observe a day of rest. No wonder we are so tired. No wonder we contract so many colds and other illnesses. Our immune system has difficulty keeping up with the burden we place on it. Even our children are tired.
We need to make physical rest a priority. Rest has several benefits, not just to our bodies but to our minds. Our muscles and organs get a chance to recover from the stress we place on them, our minds are refreshed and can process thoughts better. But there is an added benefit. As Christians, rest can give us a chance to commune with God. When was the last time you sat somewhere in your backyard, gazed up at the heavens and wondered at the magnificence of the One who created them? I believe David did that a lot. Here's what he says in Psalm 19:1 - The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Make time for rest this summer. Lie on the grass in your backyard and contemplate the glory and majesty and splendor of our God. Your physical, mental and spiritual health will thank you for it.
4 comments:
You have good thoughts here. I try to practice a cyber-sabbath. I don't usually get online or even on my computer on the Lord's Day, (Sunday.)
Good for you, Cecelia. Some time ago I tried keeping the Sabbath (Saturday) but I couldn't keep up with it. Now I try not to do anything after church on Sunday, except online stuff because I have very little time during the week.
Angela, your assessment on the topic of physical Rest is meaningful indeed. It's imperative to find time to cease from the everyday activities which keep us busy, brings stress and depletes our strength. I live by the rule of knowing the importance to; "Make the time". Far to often, I hear people say; "I don't have time to do this or that." If we allow it, the every day duties, challenges and events will find a way to such your strength and joy out of you.
I make time for me to Relax and spend time with God. This is most important in my life. I've discovered it's better for my spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional well being. I found time to pray and mediate, spending intimacy with the Lord. I may go to the park, sit and listen to the sound of nature. And as much as I love writing, I know when it's time to take a break and rest. Sometimes, I go in my room, close the door and refresh through hymns, songs and spiritual songs. It's a means to Refresh and recover strength. Thanks for this enlightening message.
And thanks Vernita, for your uplifting comments. We always find the time to do the things we enjoy, and some that we don't enjoy, but when it comes to relaxing and spending time with God, we can't find the time. I'm glad to know that you make the time to do what is really important. Have a blessed day.
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