January 6th, 2021
Our Day of Rest
Slow down for a day of rest and let God’s Word sink in.
FRANK ROBINSON
“I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love.”
Ps. 59:16 (NIV)
Back in the 1930s, Stalin wanted to extend the work week from six days to ten days in the Soviet Union. He got the idea from the leaders of the French Revolution, who tried to eliminate Sundays for the sake of greater productivity. In both cases, the idea failed, because human beings are hardwired to have a day of rest following six days of labor.
But according to a recent survey, about 35 percent of America’s adults work on Sundays. Where Stalin and the French failed, America is succeeding. But let’s not deceive ourselves: A day of rest is essential to spiritual growth and physical health. According to Hebrews 4, we are told that God prepared this rest for our benefit.
Yes, we live in a secularized culture that works 24/7, and the lure to join in the hyper-activity is strong, but we must resist the temptation to win the rat race. The Sabbath attitude is required to thwart the work impulse and to be refreshed. Do something radical: Relax your mind and be still. Come to a full stop and ponder the deeds of the Lord.
To adjust your habits toward rest, try scheduling mini sabbath moments throughout your work week. Discipline yourself to stop and think about what God is doing in your life. Give him thanks for all he has done for you and your family.
Slow down for a day of rest and let God’s Word sink in.
Frank Robinson is a retired Wesleyan pastor with thirty-five years of service in the Pacific Southwest District. He lives in Cornville, Arizona with his wife, Thelma.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word.
Slow down for a day of rest and let God’s Word sink in.
FRANK ROBINSON
“I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love.”
Ps. 59:16 (NIV)
Back in the 1930s, Stalin wanted to extend the work week from six days to ten days in the Soviet Union. He got the idea from the leaders of the French Revolution, who tried to eliminate Sundays for the sake of greater productivity. In both cases, the idea failed, because human beings are hardwired to have a day of rest following six days of labor.
But according to a recent survey, about 35 percent of America’s adults work on Sundays. Where Stalin and the French failed, America is succeeding. But let’s not deceive ourselves: A day of rest is essential to spiritual growth and physical health. According to Hebrews 4, we are told that God prepared this rest for our benefit.
Yes, we live in a secularized culture that works 24/7, and the lure to join in the hyper-activity is strong, but we must resist the temptation to win the rat race. The Sabbath attitude is required to thwart the work impulse and to be refreshed. Do something radical: Relax your mind and be still. Come to a full stop and ponder the deeds of the Lord.
To adjust your habits toward rest, try scheduling mini sabbath moments throughout your work week. Discipline yourself to stop and think about what God is doing in your life. Give him thanks for all he has done for you and your family.
Slow down for a day of rest and let God’s Word sink in.
Frank Robinson is a retired Wesleyan pastor with thirty-five years of service in the Pacific Southwest District. He lives in Cornville, Arizona with his wife, Thelma.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word.
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