GENEralities

We’re now living in a world where frantic busyness has become the norm for most families. The average load of work and “leisure” activities can add up to an alarmingly, even dangerously, frenzied pace of life. It is no wonder that, recently, neurotic and depressive disorders ranked second and third as the diagnoses most often given by physicians to Albertans—for almost a million and a half people, in fact. We have forgotten how to rest.
God once gave humankind a set of rules for healthy and fulfilled living—the Ten Commandments. One says this:

You have six days in which to do your work, but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to me. On that day no one is to work. (Exodus 20.9-10, GNB)

A disturbing thought occurred to me the other day. If one of our church members or pastors broke one of the other nine commandments, for example, if he or she started sleeping with someone else’s spouse, or murdered someone or stole something, our response would be swift and definite. He or she would most probably be removed from a ministry immediately. But what happens if the Sabbath commandment; the resting on one day in seven (not necessarily Sunday), is broken? I suspect that would often be overlooked and even encouraged. We reward busyness, “productivity” and growth before obedience and faithfulness.

How obedient and faithful are we? Do we set aside one day in seven to honour God by resting and enjoying our families? Do you know which is your pastor’s Sabbath day? Does your pastor know which day is yours? Do we allow others to keep the Sabbath commandment, or do we subtly encourage them to do more and break it?

Jesus Christ, the fullest and most amazing expression of God’s love for us, once said that the Sabbath day of rest was made for us. To ignore this commandment, or violate it, places ourselves and our families in harm’s way. We all need rest. We need it regularly and, I believe, we need it more than ever in this madly busy age.

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