It’s 2020, the long sabbath. I’ve been home for two months, but have I rested? I haven’t cleaned closets, rearranged furniture, done my spring cleaning, taken a trip, or truly worked from home for my 9-5. How about you?
I found myself working to learn as much as possible and trying new things to increase my knowledge of blogging and the tech behind platform building and feeling quite inadequate for the task (you can read about that here). This is not resting.
I increased my steps to average 10,000 almost every day. This is not resting.
I crocheted until I ran out of yarn and my fingers were sore. This is not resting.
Do your work for six days but rest on the seventh day so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave as well as the resident alien may be refreshed. (Exodus 23:12)
Returning to Rest
Then, I started an online Bible study, and developed a morning routine of prayer and study before posting it to Facebook. Before starting I began to pray for the participants. God brought only one, and that’s ok. It is the one He wants to reach. This was the beginning of rest.
Today, even in the midst of this long sabbath 2020, I am resting in God’s word and I am thankful for what He is doing. I feel restored. Do you?
How have you used your time? Have you left room for the sabbath? If not, it’s never too late to experience true rest, without worry. We were never meant to worry (Psalm 46:10).
It’s coming to an end for me, as I return to work on Monday. Anxiety has been working its way to the surface, but I won’t let it disrupt my rest (Phil 4:6-7). Having this time to ponder the next steps and seek God’s direction has been good for me and I’m not ready for it to end quite yet.
Posting today as part of the Five Minute Fridays link-up, hosted by Kate Motaung. We gather every week around a single word prompt and free-write for five minutes flat (unedited…hmmm). Check out the other writers there. Writing prompt REST.
Click this link to find me on Instagram.
I always keep Sabbath, walk, and read the Word of God but I long for dreaming with God. I have started cleaning closets and been able to finish all my work so far but it’s time to start planning for the future. And you can’t do that without resting. Thank you. Blessings!
I love the idea of dreaming with God. So beautiful. I’m going for a walk in a few minutes and I’ll be thinking on that topic. Thank you.
You had me so confused with the word rest and thought you pulled a goof like I did! but no, your reasoning was more sound. 🙂 It’s hard to maintain a sabbath rest when all the days run together. So VERY VERY hard. But God is good at making me rest when it is needful.
Yes, I think I might confuse people this week! I started writing for FMF but my mind switched over to the Hope Writers Instagram challenge where the prompt today is REST. I realized how long I’d been off work and started mulling over what I accomplished (or not) during that time. It worked out anyway. Thanks for stopping by.
Beautiful words and testimony to what the Lord has done in your heart. I am with you in that it took time for me to find rest with jesus during this pandemic, but so grateful to have found it now 😊
Thank you. I decided early on to praise and not panic. I’m glad you stopped by.
I hope you’ll pardon the redacted expletive in the penultimate line; it was the only fitting word for the rhyme and meter, and does describe pancreatic cancer and non-Hodgkins lymphoma with a fair bit of accuracy.
No, I didn’t really rest,
but then, I never do;
I think movement is the best,
for it’s there I find the true
meaning of my call to grace,
the muse I can’t forget;
see the Risen Saviour’s face,
beaded now with sweat
as He stays to work with me,
cutting wood and torching metal,
signposts on my journey
that keep me in fine fettle,
for though cancer is quite the s***,
with Him here, I will not quit.
How could I mind, Jesus doesn’t as He stands by your side.
Thanks for leaving another gem for me.
I celebrate the Sabbath every week–I couldn’t function without Sabbath rest! I’ve spent hours improving my blog, getting ahead on blog posts so that I’ll have more time with family this summer. Like you, I’ve done a lot of exercise to stay healthy and not go crazy ;). Congratulations on putting together a Bible study! That’s awesome. God knows what he’s doing.
Thanks, Anita. Yes, He does! Full disclosure – the Bible study isn’t mine. We’re using the Good Gospel from IF:Gathering. The resource if free and readily available online. BTW-Just today, I implemented several of your tips from the 28 Blogging Challenge. THANK YOU!
I hope the treasures and sweetness of your extra Sabbath are going with you this week – as you return to work. Your weeks at home sound very profitable!
Thanks, Jennifer. So far, so good. Going forward. I’m taking my time so I don’t squander what was gained. Thanks for visiting.