When I was a child I was taught this phrase: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Let me offer a turn on that saying: “All work and no prayer makes for a tired soul.”
Last week I introduced the topic of Sabbath rest, and here is more on this important aspect of life.
When you read the story of creation, you will notice that after each of the six days when God creates something, he declares it to be good. His work produced wonderful aspects of life — light and dark, sun, moon and stars, living creatures — everything. After the sixth day, when God created humanity, he didn’t declare the day good; he declared it very good.
The seventh day, however, in which God reflected on all of his creation, and on which God rested from his labor, he declared to be holy!
The six other days are good. The seventh day is holy.
The word “holy” does not mean “religious,” as most people interpret it. Rather, holy means “set aside for a special purpose.” And when God declares the seventh day — the Sabbath — as holy, he has set it aside for his special purpose: to rest, reflect on him and your relationship with him.
God created each person for his own pleasure. He takes great delight in everyone. Yes, some choices sadden God’s heart. Some choices drive a wedge between people and God, but his love never ceases.
When one day a week is set aside to focus on God alone and where your relationship with him stands, the concerns of life that would try to keep you from God take a back seat. You are reminded of your unique importance to God; that he has a purpose for you in this world and in him.
When people are constantly busy, they are constantly distracted. Personal interests are pursued, not the matters of God. Take to heart what God says through the prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 58:13-14 reads: “Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly. Then the Lord will be your delight.”
The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: Why the seventh day was 'holy'