There have been so many seasons of my life that just don’t quit. In high school and for much of my college career, I almost never took a break. If I wasn’t in class, I was studying, and if I wasn’t studying, I was overcommitting to anything and everything else.
It was just. too. much.
Eventually, I couldn’t do it anymore. The work was killing me and I longed for something more than a few hours here and there watching Netflix and eating Jeni’s.
I longed for Sabbath.
So, as I progressed in my college career, I began to set aside some time to intentionally rest. It started small, because taking a full Sabbath is so freaking hard, but it grew into something I’m so grateful to cherish. I do not always succeed in taking a full Sabbath day, but when I do, it can be the best and most necessary part of my week.
So, this Sunday, I want to share with you my 6 practical tips for planning and enjoying your Sabbath. I hope you join me on this journey of rest!
6 PRACTICAL TIPS FOR YOUR SABBATH
1. Take a look at your schedule, evaluate, and pick which day/time is most feasible.
Your church may gather on Sunday mornings, but that doesn’t mean you have to take your Sabbath then. The Sabbath is a day of rest and worship, and practically, you might not be able to do that well on a Sunday. Are you best able to rest and glorify God on a Saturday? Sabbath on Saturdays. No class or work on a Tuesday? Make Tuesday your Sabbath.
2. Start Small
If this is your first time taking a Sabbath, you’re going to need to start small. That might mean that your Sabbath might only be a few hours, and that’s okay. God of grace, remember? Figure out what’s doable for you and commit to it.
3. Make a list of things that exhaust you. Find a way to not do those things on the Sabbath.
Taking a day of rest looks different for everyone. Are you exhausted by meal prepping? Don’t do that on your Sabbath. Are you burdened by how much studying you have to do? Take a day off. Make a list of what is exhausting, whether it is explicitly work-related or not, and find out how not to do that on your Sabbath. You can do your meal-prepping, your studying, and your marathon training another day. I promise – it’s possible.
4. Savor your time of rest. Actually enjoy your Sabbath.
Read a book, watch a movie, go shopping, treat yourself to a bougie cup of coffee. It is your day of rest; do something for you.
5. Spend time with God.
I am a huge proponent of spending time in the scriptures and in prayer daily, but this is especially important on the Sabbath.
6. Understand why you’re taking a Sabbath.
The Sabbath is important because of the One who made it. If you take a Sabbath and don’t know why you’re doing it, I really think you’re missing the point. Spend some time in the scriptures and in prayer to reflect on why God places immense importance not only on the concept of good work, but also on good rest.
Here are a few places to start:
Genesis 2:2-3
Exodus 20
Leviticus 23:3
Thanks for stopping by! Leave me a comment below with how you like to spend your Sabbath.
Such great insights! So very often, I think we are sucked in by the trap of busyness that we don’t slow down, we don’t rest, and our minds are too busy to remember to listen for God, let alone intentionally be still and hear him. Your suggestions are so important! Thank you!
Yes, it is so easy to get sucked into the busyness trap! Thanks for stopping by, Kristen!