As I write this I am at home with two of my five children. The youngest are sick. It is Sunday morning and their illnesses mandated that Mommy stay home and help them feel better. During my morning Bible reading, I began thinking about how it makes me feel when I don’t attend church. It is rare that I miss church but it certainly feels a lot like I am skipping school. So in my thought processes I also began to think about the days when my own family would attend church when I was very young. As a child, we only attended until I was 8 years old. However, I vividly remember that it seemed that Sundays were always sunny. No matter what the weather was it always seemed to me that appropriately Sundays were sunny. Most businesses were closed. I can recall that my father would read the paper and I would read the comics after church. I think everyone did their own thing, yet we were together. Although, I can’t say this about all other days, I can recall that there seemed to always be a certain peace over our household on Sundays.
Then I began to try to think about what would happen if at least most businesses still closed on Sundays. I have actually asked this question before. When I asked the question to someone, I happened to be in a store on a Sunday!! The person I asked simply said, “What would you have done without being able to make this purchase?” Well I wouldn’t have been at that store making a purchase. I would have had better laid plans. I would have planned for NOT patronizing a business on Sunday. There's an old Puritan saying, "Good Sabbaths make good Christians." Still, honoring the Sabbath was easier in Puritan New England, where almost everyone took the Sabbath seriously. Shops weren't open on Sundays, businesses closed their doors, and everyone headed to church. Sabbaths are much more difficult in contemporary America. In fact, in a society that values busyness and productivity, observing the Sabbath is downright countercultural. Our Pastor often says we should not miss Church, unless you have to work. He says that the need to work is understandable. But is it really? The Bible states we should only work if our “ox is in the ditch”.
How quickly did we come to a place where our lives are so cluttered that we cannot take just one day of rest for the Lord? This command is through the wisdom of our Lord a day for Him AND us. He, with infinite wisdom, has created a day that we can restore our health, our relationships, and our love for Him. How did we get to this place where we can no longer see the need, have the desire, or have the ability to follow the Word of the Lord, “Remember the Sabbath to keep it Holy”.
What exactly would it mean to keep the Sabbath Holy? I am not speaking legalistically. I am simply expressing that we should be comfortable giving up some of our conveniences. Which side of guilty are we on? Are you a Christian? Do you believe the Word of the Lord? If so, then patronizing the very businesses that are open on Sunday’s helps them have a reason to stay open. Therefore, opening a door for people to have to work that could otherwise at least have the option to go to church.
Don’t concern yourself with the economy. There are lots of businesses that stay closed on Sundays. In fact, Chick-fil-a, is one that did an interview on the issues, or shall I say the blessings, of being closed on Sundays. They have not lost any profit and in fact have excellent sales throughout the week. And to whom do they give the glory: Jesus!
Exactly what are the possibilities if we actually observed Sabbath:
1. You would be blessed by your obedience.
2. Your family would reap the benefits of quality time. There would be meaning behind “family”.
3. You would be more peaceful, relaxed. With no games to run to, no zoo, etc, there would be no need to rush, rush, rush.
4. Your work week would start with worshipping the Lord, with obedience to His commands, the benefits would be innumerable.
5. You would save money so your finances would be blessed.
….I am sure I could go on and on and on about the rewards for “Observing the Sabbath”.
The way into Christian Sabbath observance isn't so much about rules as orientation: away from the busyness of the week and towards the Creator who rested. In this, we may find a true sense of Shabbat shalomSo let’s say, we begin by PLANNING to stay home after church one Sunday a month!! See how it works for your family. Take a walk around the neighborhood, together. Play some family games. Properly set your dining room table and eat as a family. See if it really is so much of an inconvenience that you just can’t stand it and MUST go somewhere. I think you will be so completely blessed you will WANT to “Remember the Sabbath to keep it Holy”, Sabbath peace.
Happy Shabbat shalom!