Good Morning!
I hope that you are looking forward to your day. I’ve noticed the last couple months as things return to normal that I am hearing from friends and acquaintances that life is getting more hectic.
There are more things to occupy their time and schedules. Family get togethers, ball practice, weddings, showers, business trips, projects that had been put aside – life is certainly getting busier.
If we’re not careful we will find ourselves rapidly picking up speed on the old way of doing things and leave behind the slower lifestyle that was forced upon us but was good for us.
I have heard of studies that indicate mechanical equipment lasts longer with fewer repairs when it is allowed to be at rest at least one day a week. Employees are more productive when they have down time; one of the most positive comments during this nationwide work-from-home effort was that production and creativity increased.
Doctors attest to the fact that bodies are healthier when we have less stress and more rest. Even farmers know that taking their fields out of production every seven years is good for the soil and will cause the following year’s yield to increase.
I do believe that God knew what He was doing when He issued the commandment to rest on the Sabbath day.
“Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me. 9 You have six days when you can do your work, 10 but the seventh day of each week belongs to me, your God. No one is to work on that day—not you, your children, your slaves, your animals, or the foreigners who live in your towns. 11 In six days I made the sky, the earth, the oceans, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That’s why I made the Sabbath a special day that belongs to me.” Exodus 20:8-11 CEV
“You will plant seeds in your land for six years, and gather the grain. 11 But in the seventh year you will let the land rest without planting. So your people who are in need may eat. Whatever they leave, the animals may eat. You are to do the same with your grape-fields and olive trees. 12 You will work six days and rest on the seventh day. So your bull and your donkey may rest. And the son of your female servant, and the stranger, may get their strength again.” Exodus 23:10-12 NLV
In Exodus 20, God gives what we call the Ten Commandments to Moses. He then gave them to Israelites. These were to be the laws that directed everyday living. Isn’t it interesting to see that resting was just as important to the Lord as not killing, lying, or stealing?
I think we should all take another look at our appointment books and schedules. Block off time to rest. Let your body, mind and spirit have time to recover.
For those of us who are always on the go this will be hard to initially implement but remember it’s God’s commandment for our well-being.
Enjoy the day!