Time to Play

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God Hebrews 4:9

For some of us, when we hear about observing the Sabbath we conjure up a black and white photograph of  people sitting around, dressed in suits and staring blankly off into space. But when God rested on His special day after finishing all of His amazing creation, it was something He delighted in. God was able to pause and enjoy the beauty of all His creation. There were cloud topped mountains to see and roaring waterfalls to hear, mighty rivers to splash in, and millions of stars to explore. But, most of all God delighted in the people who He had made in His own image. God came down in the cool of the day to enjoy time with Adam and Eve.

Nowhere in all this do we see anything dull or boring. In fact we find out that:

Mark 2:27 ….. The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

The Sabbath was meant as a gift to be shared between God and man. God wasn’t looking forward to see how much work that Adam and Eve could do. Instead, He set aside a special day to enjoy their relationship. It was almost like time to play. Play is about just enjoying time together. Our struggle with taking a day to rest is not that we forgot how to rest, but that we forgot how to enjoy God’s presence. So, how can we begin to think  and act differently about doing what God created us to do? Here are just a few creative ideas.

Reserving a table: When you want to go to the best restaurants you can’t just walk in any time and expect to find a table. It pays to plan ahead and get your reservation. If you don’t then someone else will already be seated at that special table by the fireplace you were hoping for. It is the same with our time with God. Everyone wants our time. If they think it is okay to take it on Sunday they won’t at all think twice about it. My wife has taught me some lessons on that. Because I run a business we get calls at our home all the time. Should you be the one who decides that Sunday afternoon is a dandy time to call you will hear something like this, “You’ve got six other days to talk to my husband about work. This is our day for God and for time with our family. Thank you and have a great day!”  Things that are rare have great value and you will begin to realize just how valuable that day is when you reserve it for God.

Slowing things down: Ever hear the old expression “Sunday driver” ? That meant someone who was just out to enjoy looking at the scenery and they were driving slowly. Maybe that isn’t such a bad thing to try. Instead of zooming off after church to a day filled with activities, maybe take a long slow drive in the country. Go somewhere you haven’t been before. Take off your shoes and put your feet in a stream. Spend some non-organized time with the family away from all the pressures. We are wound so tightly that it almost seems like a sin to not be running off to some planned activity. Can you remember far enough back to that first day of Summer vacation when you were young? Thinking of all that time was like prying open a treasure chest that held all the delicious unscheduled days.

Listening: Elijah the prophet was a man of both action and faith. He had done more than any of the other prophets before him, but in his own eyes all that activity had ended in failure. He went out into the wilderness, sat under a tree and prayed for God to take his life. Instead of answering that prayer, God gave Elijah a time of rest. Elijah lay down and slept until God sent an angel who baked bread for him and brought Him a cup of cool water. Then instead of jumping right back into action, Elijah slept again till the angel woke him a second time to give him more. Finally after 40 days of silent traveling Elijah was ready to come and hear from the Lord. First God sent a hurricane force wind, but God was not in the wind. Then God sent a strong earthquake, but He wasn’t in the quake. Last God sent a fire, but God wasn’t even in the fire. Then finally God came and spoke with Elijah in a still small voice. Now Elijah was ready to listen.

That is what the Sabbath is all about. Reserving time to be with Jesus, slowing things down and allowing God to prepare us to listen. God wants to share His thoughts and heart with us. If it has been a while since you had the chance to really enjoy the day God made as a gift for us, then launch out and see what new things that God will begin to do for you. Just as we would never forget to open a Christmas present, so let’s tear off the wrapping paper and begin to experience the blessing of the Sabbath that God has made for us.