God Likes Wednesday Too!

“Then he said to them, “the sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” Mark 2:27-28

During our bible study today we covered this passage. It is the passage that follows the disciples eating the grains of wheat on the sabbath and the Pharisees questioning this blatant breaking of the law.

What we discussed was our understanding of the sabbath and the need to slow down and rest.

The idea though, of sabbath, is to rest. I believe that the rest brings us to a quiet place that better enables us to hear the voice of God.

Then I wonder, are we really allowed to keep the sabbath holy?

There are so many things distracting us, so many activities and commitments we dupe ourselves into believing that we can rest in between. But I can tell you, I know I don’t always take a sabbath in the seven day cycle. I also know that if I don’t, the odds of many of you reading this actually taking a sabbath is low. So the question begs, how can we allow a true sabbath? A sunup to sundown slowdown of our lives? For those of us with kids, it is tough. Frankly, I don’t know the answer but I do have some ideas. I would also like anyone else who has wrestled with this to join in the conversation.

Some ways to take a sabbath is to understand that the sabbath doesn’t have to only be on Sunday…for Jesus it was Saturday…for priests, religion teachers, religious, medical professionals, coaches, firemen, policemen or military, it can be for example, Wednesday. Since God creates all days, any day can be sabbath.

Resting in the Lord is possible in smaller increments of time too. Contemplation can do it. Yoga can do it. Reading a book can do it. But what is important is that you are jumping off the wheel you are on and taking a break. Work is holy and rest is holy. You become re-energized, and just as yesterday we lived joyfully in the Lord, we couldn’t do that if we were beleaguered with the stresses of daily life. So remember, “God likes Wednesday too” to quote someone else.

Today I pray for all of us, for the ability to rest. To remember that God gives us a time to rest because God knows us and knows our needs. To know that the world will continue to spin without me. I remember all of my brothers and sisters who cannot rest for whatever reason and wish them peace. I remember the words of Jesus, “Sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.”