One of the most annoying things I run into at work is when a patient won’t put their phone away so I can get a decent history. I’m trying to figure out what to do for them and they’ve got their head down the entire time texting or scrolling through some social media site. It’s even worse when it’s a parent and they can’t put down their phone long enough to tell me what’s wrong with their kid. Arghh!!
Unfortunately, I do the same thing to God. He’s trying to communicate with me, to keep me on the right track, to build a relationship with me, but I’m so distracted by my work, the bills, some TV program, or, yes, my phone, He can’t get my attention. I’m so caught up with the cares and distractions of this life, I miss out on the most precious thing of all – time with my God.
God knew we would be like this, so He built a pause into our weekly routine, 24 hours when we can put all these worries and cares aside and reconnect with Him. This precious gift is called the Sabbath and it’s my favorite day of the week. For one whole day I get to stop worrying about work, what’s happening in the news, or any of the other innumerable things that grapple for my attention the other 6 days of the week, and just spend time with family, friends, and, best of all, Jesus.
Keeping the Sabbath is not a way to earn your way to heaven. Keeping it isn’t being legalistic, it’s being smart! We all need a break once in a while and the Sabbath is just what we need at the end of a busy week. It is a precious gift God gave us at the very dawn of creation when He “blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (Genesis 2:3 NIV).
This evening, as the sun sets and the Sabbath begins, take a break. “Come aside…and rest awhile.” (Mark 6:31 NKJV). Put away whatever has you distracted, whether it’s work or bills or maybe even your phone, and reconnect with Jesus. Give Him your full attention for 24 hours and discover for yourself what a difference the Sabbath can make.