Preparing for Sabbath rest starts by looking at our schedules; what 8, 12, or ultimately 24 hour time period could you set aside?
Consider implementing a ritual to define this space: an email responder for incoming work, a candlelit, a song played, or a special meal ordered or prepared.
In my family, we lightheartedly use the Sabbath prayer from Fiddler on the Roof and sing it together as we make pasta from scratch! This is the most important appointment of our week and I encourage us to fiercely protect this space. It should be rare that this gets disrupted.
Sabbath Rest – Saying NO leads to saying YES
Once you have carved the space, how do you use the time thoughtfully? 3 main ingredients to a meaningful Sabbath are rest, delight, and contemplation.
Like with any great recipe, this can be adjusted to taste. Certain weeks will require more rest if you are exhausted, delight if you are drained, or worship if you long to connect with Jesus.
Consider how you currently do all of these and see where there are gaps.
Rest:
How tired do I feel? How can I rest my body, my mind, and my heart? Where do I feel resistance or see obstacles?
Delight:
How do I currently practice joy and delight? What are creative activities I find pleasurable, the ones that help me remember I am human and uniquely made? (Consider the concept of pleasure stacking from The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by Comer)
Contemplate:
How am I being intentional in my relationship with God? Are there practices of gratitude for my life or longer spaces of prayer, worship, and reflection that lead to intimacy with Jesus?
How are you trusting in God as he is giving you a wonderful gift in Sabbath? Try it this week!
