While Christians differ on matters relating to the Sabbath, most agree that a weekly rhythm of work and rest is beneficial. Whatever your views on the Sabbath, I recommend intentionally taking time each week to rest the body and nourish the soul. While you cannot always neatly calendar rest, there is wisdom in regularly pulling back from the pressing demands of ministry. With this in mind, here are four suggestions to build sabbath rest into your routine:
- Have a regular day off. If the Creator of the universe thought it wise to take a day off, we are wise to do the same. Most of our church members have a day off, and they know that Sunday can be one of our busiest days. For this reason, many expect us to schedule a day off. And, while funerals or emergencies may preclude our taking that scheduled day, we can usually take a different day that week or build-in a few “Mini-Sabbaths” (see suggestion #4).
- Avoid your usual work on your day off. We all find joy in different things, but it is wise to avoid our usual work routine on our rest day. We can save sermon preparation for another day and resist the temptation to busy ourselves with other ministry matters. If we fail to do this, then our day off is simply not a day off!
- Enjoy restful activities on your day off. I don’t want to suggest a one-size-fits-all approach to sabbath rest. Some find washing the car and cleaning out the gutters to be a restful activity. And, there are some activities that simply must be done on our day off. But we should try to leave the day as open as possible to things we’ve been “too busy” to do. It’s a great opportunity to be still, take a walk with family, listen to music, sleep, read a book, go fishing, or do whatever gives you life. You may even consider “unplugging” from the internet, especially if social media and the 24-hour news cycle get your heart pounding for the wrong reasons.
- Take “mini-Sabbaths.” Ministry is unpredictable, and sometimes the weeks are unusually full. When this happens, consider the value of “mini-Sabbaths.” Even in the midst of a stressful day, we can usually find enough time to locate a quiet room somewhere to be still and rest. There’s no shame in taking a quick nap during these times or finding a park bench where you can just sit and relax for a few minutes. “Mini-Sabbaths” go a long way to refreshing the soul.
Pastors: How do you work sabbath rest into your weekly routine?
Be sure to visit Dr. Linn’s site, Preaching Truth.
