First Shabbat posting

Today is Saturday. The day I rest, think, pray and work as little as possible. I stayed abed until almost 1 pm and my brother called and said "You are still in bed? That isn't healthy! Sleep your life away get up!" Unhealthy? Yeah if you do it every day as a way to avoid the world and the work God has for you. What isn't healthy is the way we race around and insist that our 10 minute "God blesses and reading of the word of devotional books" is quality time with the Lord. I'm not one to talk. I'm as guilty as the next person in not spending time just listening for the Lord. I have friends that are pulled every which way figuring they have to be there for this person or that person 24 /7 because it is the right thing to do. No problem, you should be there for others as God leads you and show your love...but pretty soon if you don't take time to rest yourself and receive renewal from the Lord in your own Spirit there will be nothing left to give and all you will be giving is that....nothing...what is the blessing to others and yourself in that?
How many times ,though,through the course of our lives do we say " I wish I had time to rest to get away with the Lord, to do nothing but reflect and rest and become renewed!" This is what the Shabbat, the Sabbath, is. A time to enjoy friends and the things we enjoy; to forget about the cares of the week for a day and rest in the presence of God. Whether for you that means doing no work and turning on no lights (the traditions of the Orthodox Jewish way of celebrating Shabbat is to do no work Friday sundosn through sundown Saturday) or just kicking back and eating a nice big meal , watching movies, and hanging out with friends like I do. If it rests you do it and remember that even God took an entire day to rest. I refuse to argue whether Saturday or Sunday is the 'true' Sabbath. That is pointless who cares? Are you resting in God's presence casting the cares of the week on him? I challenge you to try taking a Shabbat day! Sure maybe I could get up a little earlier but I thank God for the Sabbath day. A command to rest!
So whatever rest means to you I wish you a Shabbat Shalom (peaceful Sabbath)!