The Sabbath

Dan Allender in his great book on the Sabbath states, "Sabbath is not about time off or a break in routine. It is not a mini-vacation to give us a respite so we are better prepared to go back to work. The Sabbath is far more than a diversion; it is mean to be an encounter with God's delight". I agree with this statement wholeheartedly. As a father, husband, and Pastor my Sabbath has been challenged very well by Allender. For years I viewed the Sabbath as merely another day to set aside in the week to get rest. If my Sabbath did not include a nap, laying around watch tv, and getting away from the stress of the busy week with kids, I felt it was wasted.

I have discovered now that the Sabbath is about God and delighting in God. When we find our joy and delight in God, a natural rest, relaxation, and overflow of the true Sabbath happens. Allender in the book also explains that the Sabbath is mean to look back on creation and look forward to the new creation. Sabbath is about God, His beauty, majesty, and delighting in our relationship with God. I discovered that I was making my Sabbath about me and me alone, rather than God. Allender has challenged that the Sabbath is about God and God alone and He created the Sabbath for us to enjoy Him more and deeper. God took a Sabbath to rest not becasue He was exhausted but becasue He wanted to enjoy and delight in His creation. God then commands us to observe the Sabbath to, so we also can enjoy and delight in Him, each other, and creation.

Simply put, Allender hits the nail on the head, the Sabbath is about God. The Sabbath was given to us by God for us to enjoy Him. The Sabbath is a gift from the Creator so we have more time and a set purposeful day to enjoy the Giver of the Sabbath gift.