Rest Stop 17
May 03, 2014
"Blessed is the one who does this—the person who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps their hands from doing any evil" - Isaiah 56:2-3.
The Lord promises a blessing to anyone who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it. That does not mean rigidly doing nothing, otherwise pastors, church musicians, Sunday School teachers and anyone involved in church work are violating the Sabbath. And it is not a specific day, otherwise rescue responders, people in the military, doctors and nurses who work on Saturday or Sunday are 'doing evil.' Keeping the Sabbath is taking time to rest, worship, do good to the poor, or break with normal workday routines to engage in activities that refresh and energize so they can then re-engage with normal work or family duties.
LEADERSHIP STEP: Assuming you have a regular habit of worship, today you'll address your need for or lack of a hobby. Do you have one? What is it? If you don't have one, why not? A hobby is something you do mostly because you enjoy it, and it may cost you time and money to engage in it. Do you see that concept as frivolous or wasteful? If so, you may be violating a principle of the 'sabbath,' which is to take time away from the routine and structure of work to do something that reminds you what a gift of God life is.
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