Let’s face it everyone. Life today is about constant connectivity, with an app, others, entertainment and work. We live in a fast-paced world and sometimes it just seems like there are not enough hours in a day to get it all done. Then there are days when we can’t wait for the day to end. God knew this and in the very beginning he gave us a great example of what to do one day a week, preferably Sunday but not mandatory to be that specific day. Taking one day to unplug from the world is something more people are doing lately.
God rested. Genesis 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. God wants us to rest also. Mathew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
I have heard from so many people that have chosen to embrace the sabbath. On Sundays the family does not touch their phones at all. They pick them back up on Monday and begin their week. They have told me it is the most wonderful relaxing day away from Satan’s greatest distraction. Now, don’t knock this until you have tried it! Seriously I want each of you to try this out. Look at it also as fasting from your phone. Saturday bedtime till Monday morning. Believe it or not you will live through this. Most of us never had a cell phone till the early 1990’s. Pagers and phone booths were the only options once you got in your car before that.
God knew this was important, so it was included in the Ten Commandments. “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
I feel tremendous guilt from Satan when I mow the grass on Sundays in the spring, summer and fall. I wonder what people are thinking about me when they see me out there in the afternoon mowing. What does God think? Ouch! Think about it. I am breaking one of the Ten Commandments! James 2:10 “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” Not good for me at all. I have got to start honoring God on the Sabbath along with the other 6 days when I do my best to honor Him.
In closing focus on this on Sunday. Disconnect from all technology, yes even TV. Worship in church with the body of Christ in His house. Take a much needed nap and walk with your spouse or kids or dog. Go to lunch with friends or a new visitor at church. Reflect on the week and give thanks. Pray. These all will create a sense of peace and liberation from a fast-paced world and it will tick off Satan! As a form of witness send a text to all your contacts alerting them that Sundays you are unplugged from technology and you will answer their calls or texts on Monday. Please try this at least one Sunday, I am going to do it too.
I love you all,
Jim
