AUTUMN SERIES: REST - The Gift of Sabbath 9/15/21

Sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. It is a GIFT! 

By: Aaron Babyar
​9/15/21

​​Today, we'll continue our focus on Rest, specifically SABBATH Rest...

Intro and explanation: Our hope is that this guided time of reflection and devotion will be powerful, but simple enough that you can replicate it for the remainder of your life. We'll begin each post with the scripture passage as well as the practice of slowing down, allowing our savior to speak to us through His word.This "slowing down" is based off of a form of reading, prayer, and meditation that has been around for centuries called Lectio Divina. This simple, yet powerful way of reading scripture (and meditating on it), is helpful for connecting us to the word of God. Then, we'll move on to a video and devotion written by an Exago staff member. Let's get started...

​SLOWING DOWN:

1. Breath in, slowly, for 5 seconds.
2. Hold it for 5 seconds. Ask the Lord to show you areas that you need to "let go" and fully rest in HIM.
3. Breath out, slowly, for 5 seconds.
4. Repeat this as much as you would like, always thanking the Lord for whatever He puts on your heart, or brings to your mind.

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY:

• As we continue our focus, let's open our hearts to how the Lord is speaking over us about REST.
• Slowly, read the passage of scripture three times before moving on.

"The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Mark 2:27

• What is the Lord revealing to you today about His gift to us of Sabbath? Take time to write it down.

DEVOTION OF THE DAY:

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​By: Aaron Babyar
September 15th, 2021

I was surprised recently when I was speaking with a fellow ministry leader. The person speaking, in an effort to speak glowingly about another ministry leader, remarked on how that individual was so busy and never takes a day off.

That gave me pause.

In my experience….that’s not a sign of health. In fact quite the opposite - that’s a sign of possible pending breakdown or perhaps even hidden sin. I wish that wasn’t true…but having largely been in vocational  ministry of some sort for over 30 years….that has been something I’ve witness repeatedly. I don’t wish for a fall from grace, but THEY NEED REST. I need rest. YOU need rest.

Yes we were made for work, but we were also made for other things including REST. God himself modeled this, and if it’s good enough for God, why isn't that good enough for you and me? Most would agree that Christ followers may define what sabbath is differently, but at a minimum I suggest it involves rest from busyness of life and ministry work.

Sabbath is always meant to provide restoration and re-creation for believers…in connection with your creator..

We shouldn’t get caught up in legalism like the Pharisees had when they thought about Sabbath. Rather, we should take Sabbath as a gift that God gave to us so that we could be restored.

Jesus says  "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."
Mark 2:27

In short, I’m paraphrasing and taking great liberty here, but Jesus may have been saying: DON'T GET IT TWISTED. Understand the spirit of sabbath. Apply it in a way that serves its original purpose. What Jesus is offering is both incredible freedom and responsibility.

So Christ follower, ministry leader, stranger, friend….practice Sabbath because it’s a gift that you need.