The Gift of Sabbath

Hi beautiful people! Let's talk about one of the greatest gifts God has given us, the Sabbath. It's not just a day off; it's so much more. The Sabbath is a holy invitation to rest, recharge, and reconnect with the Lord. It's a reminder that we're not the ones holding everything together; He is. And let's be honest, who doesn't need that reminder sometimes?

What’s interesting is that the Sabbath is the one commandment so many people tend to overlook. We honor the others without question, but somehow the call to rest is often treated as optional. As if God said, “Remember the Sabbath… unless you’re super busy.” But He didn’t. The Sabbath was never meant to slip through the cracks of our schedules. It’s an opportunity to remember that our souls weren’t designed to run endlessly without being renewed in His presence. When we choose to rest with intention, we make space for God to remind us who He is and who we are in Him.

I'll admit, early in my faith journey, I didn't fully understand the importance of the Sabbath. I used to think rest was unproductive, something that kept me from accomplishing my goals. I'd feel guilty whenever I tried to slow down, and my mind would race with everything I still needed to do. But that mindset left me restless and carrying burdens that were never mine to carry. The root of it all? A lack of trust in God.

Over time, the Lord began to teach me that resting is not laziness; it's obedience. Sabbath rest is not just about taking a break from work; it's about surrendering control. It's a weekly reminder that God is our provider and sustainer, not our own effort. When we rest, we are saying, “God, I trust You to keep working even when I stop.”

Let's look at what Scripture says about the Sabbath. In Exodus 20:8–10, God says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.” The Sabbath is a day set apart, not just for physical rest, but to honor God. It's a sacred rhythm He established for our benefit. And here's the thing, God doesn't need us to Sabbath; we need it.

Taking a Sabbath is not a suggestion or an optional practice we can fit in when we have time. It's an instruction that carries spiritual weight and deep purpose. The same God who calls us to work diligently for six days also tells us to stop and rest. Why? Because He knows what we need before we do. He knows that constant motion without stillness leads to burnout, emptiness, and disconnection. The Sabbath is not a rule meant to restrict us but rather an act of love meant to restore us.

In Mark 2:27, Jesus says, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” How kind is our God? He created the Sabbath as a gift, not a burden. It's His way of saying, “Pause. Breathe. Trust Me.” When we honor the Sabbath, we're declaring, “Lord, You are in control, not me.” It's an act of surrender and faith.

Jesus invites us into this kind of rest in Matthew 11:28–29, saying, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” When we rest in God, our souls find renewal. The noise quiets. The striving stops. And we're reminded that His strength is what carries us, not our own.

Even God Himself modeled this for us. In Genesis 2:2–3, after creating the heavens and the earth, He rested and declared that day holy. He didn't rest because He was tired; He rested because He was finished. The Sabbath is an invitation to step into that same confidence, that the work will be sustained by His power, not ours.

Recently, I had one of those stretches where everything seemed to happen back-to-back. I had to travel to Phoenix, Arizona, for a full week of work, and when I tell you that week felt like it had nine Mondays in a row, I mean it. It was a packed trip with long days and very little downtime. When I got back home, I jumped straight into a busy week full of work events, meetings, and responsibilities that required my full focus. Right after that, I had a ministry event where I was leading the intercession/prayer team. It was beautiful and powerful, but it was also a lot. Looking back, I'm so grateful that I chose to Sabbath in between and after those moments. I intentionally carved out time to rest, to sit with the Lord, and to let Him refill me. Because of that, I was able to show up to each assignment with strength, peace, and clarity. I wasn't running on empty; I was running on grace. He sustained me.

Something I've learned is that rest doesn't just happen; it takes preparation. If we want to truly enjoy the Sabbath, we have to plan for it in advance. Just as we prepare for a big event, a trip, or a meeting, preparing for rest is equally important. For me, that might look like finishing up housework or errands days before so I'm not distracted. I'll make sure laundry is done, meals are prepped, and emails are answered. That way, when my Sabbath day comes, I can step into it with peace, not pressure.

I had a very real-life reminder of the importance of rest recently. I was on a family vacation in Belize — relaxing, minding my business, being a tropical girly — and suddenly my phone buzzed with notifications from work. You know that moment when your brain immediately flips into problem-solving mode? I had already mentally typed out my response, drafted a whole plan, and was two seconds from jumping into Admissions Counselor mode when I felt the Holy Spirit say, “Rest. I can handle this.” They didn’t need me swooping in from Belize in my swimsuit trying to save the day.

And let me tell you — even before the trip started, the Holy Spirit was already coaching me. I was packing my suitcase, checking off my list, and tell me why I stood there staring at my work laptop like we were about to enter a long-term relationship? I was this close to slipping it into my backpack “just in case,” and I promise you, the Holy Spirit didn’t even whisper. He straight-up hit me with a, “Absolutely not.” I’m so glad He stopped me! 😂

Maybe you’re reading all of this and thinking, “Okay… but where do I even begin?” For some of you, this might feel new. Maybe you've been so used to being on the go, or you're the kind of person who struggles to sit still or feels anxious when there's nothing to check off a list. (If the thought of doing nothing makes you sweat a little, I promise you're in good company.) Resting is something we learn over time as the Holy Spirit teaches us how to be still in God's presence.

The good news is the Sabbath doesn't have to look the same for everyone. For me, some Sabbaths are spent laughing and catching up with my friends. Other weeks, I’m tired and want nothing more than to be home with a book, a candle, and silence. Rest shifts as our seasons shift, and the Lord knows exactly what we need each time we come before Him. It's about resting with God and doing what brings your soul peace. It’s about slowing your heart enough to sit with Him. Invite the Lord into your Sabbath. Ask Him what day to do it and to show you what rest looks like for you in this season.

Here are a few ways to begin. Start with prayer. Begin your Sabbath by inviting the Holy Spirit in. Ask Him to help you quiet your heart and shift your focus from productivity to presence. Disconnect from work. Turn off notifications, step away from your inbox, and silence anything that tries to pull your focus. Spend time in Scripture. Let God's Word refresh you. Do what fills your soul. Maybe that's journaling, listening to worship, cooking, or enjoying the people you love. Whatever helps you feel rested and connected to God, lean into that. Reflect and give thanks. End your Sabbath with gratitude for how the Lord was with you during your week.

As you begin to practice Sabbath consistently, your rhythm will shift. You'll start to notice that rest no longer feels foreign but familiar. You'll begin to hear His voice more clearly. You’ll move through your week with more peace. The Sabbath teaches us to stop striving and start trusting. It's a reminder that our lives belong to the One who gives life in the first place.

Let the Sabbath be a sacred rhythm in your life, a weekly reminder that you are loved, provided for, and completely secure in His care. He is the One who holds our lives together. And thank goodness for that, am I right?

Let's pray about this together: Lord, thank You for the gift of the Sabbath. Thank You for inviting us to slow down and rest in Your presence. Teach us how to prepare our hearts for rest, to set aside distractions and intentionally rest in You. Help us to honor this time with peace and gratitude, trusting that You're working even when we are still. For the moments when we don't know how to rest, meet us there and show us how. Refresh our minds, renew our spirits, and draw us closer to You. May our Sabbath be a reflection of Your goodness and grace. Amen!

You got this. Take a deep breath and slow down. Let the Lord give your soul the rest it needs. 🕊️