I am sure you have heard it before: “Is the sun set yet?” It seems like all kids say it. Perhaps you remember saying it when you were little. I did. I could not wait to run and play, talk about sports, or attend the church socials. “Is the Sabbath over?” is a question I would ask repeatedly.
Recognition set in when I heard my own daughters ask that same question. (Are Sabbath keeping kids born with that question on their lips?) Then remonstrance set in, when I thought to myself, “I must be doing something wrong. The Sabbath is supposed to be refreshing, a joy. We should be looking forward to it.”
The truth be told, when I was pastoring I worked really hard on Saturdays. I would be so tired when the Sabbath ended that all I would want to do is sleep—just when my daughters wanted to have fun. I needed to break this cycle. I had to reboot.
Gen. 2:1-2 says that God took an intentional pause. He ended His work of creating the world and spent a full 24 hours with Adam and Eve. Being reminded that God wants to connect with me for a whole day changed my thoughts about how I wanted to spend the Sabbath.
You see, I realized that I was doing a whole lot of stuff on behalf of Jesus on the Sabbath, but enjoying Him wasn’t on the list. When that truth set in, I became determined to spend more intentional time with my Lord—especially as it occurred to me that I was missing out on precious moments I could spend with the One who gives me life, heals me when I’m physically and emotionally broken, provides for my financial needs, gives me direction when I’m confused, gives me clarity when the way is cloudy, and encourages me when leadership seems too hard to bear. He’s given me a beautiful wife and three wonderful girls, a roof over my head, a decently running car and glazed donuts (ok…so maybe not the donuts). And, in addition, He’s given me a full 24 hours to actively ignore the hard stuff and revel in all the good!
Making a shift
Here are a few ways I have tried to make that change. I try to center my thoughts on my love and gratitude for my Father, Elder Brother, and the Comforter BEFORE I review my sermon or my Sabbath ‘to-do’ list. I look at the patterns that the clouds make as I drive to church and I marvel at His creativity. Then I allow the beauty to clear my mind and I bask in the Father’s goodness.
Then when I get to church, I try to hear God in every song and see Him in every smile. I try to keep the wonder of Him using my hands, and my mouth, and my feet, to work in tandem with Him. Working together with Him, listening for His Voice, feeling Him near–this beats “stressing” any day.
Now when I contemplate my time with God and all He does for me, I find myself not wanting to leave our special time on the Sabbath, and a new question comes to me: “Is the Sabbath over already?”
Roger A Bernard is president of the Central States Conference.
