The Healing Power of Sabbath
Last Thanksgiving, I was in the middle of one of the hardest seasons of my life. My prayer life felt like it was slipping. Every move I made felt like the wrong one. I was constantly plagued with anxiety and fear about the day ahead.
I didn’t know how to admit to myself I was struggling.
Thanksgiving was the first real break I had in a while. I remember waking up that Thursday morning and feeling like I could breathe for the first time in a long time. On a post-Thanksgiving meal walk, I shared with my mom that I was done. Through tears - I finally was able to say it and invite someone into the struggle with me.
My life was moving too fast and I couldn’t catch up. At work, with my friends, even with my family - I was constantly saying yes, even when I didn’t have more to give. I was so overwhelmed and something had to change - and quickly.
A few weeks later I went to a party at a friend’s house who had just gotten married a few months before. I was surprised when I walked in and saw that their apartment was basically bare. Besides a few decorations here and there, it felt peaceful and simplistic.
Over dinner, we talked about how much I liked the way their apartment looked. It didn’t feel cluttered or chaotic - a deep breath from the life I was living. And, they were so happy. In their own little corner of the world - with the simplicity of just the two of them learning how to live life together.
In the midst of this season and these observations, I developed my own intentional practice of the Sabbath.
Practicing the Sabbath had been showing up on my Instagram feed. In cleaning my closet, I found my copy of the Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. I am not the type to read a book multiple times, but something drew me to this book. I had read it over a year before when I didn’t feel like it was necessary. Yet, on this second read - it felt so real and so deeply important.
After re-reading it and taking it to prayer, I decided to start small by not visiting social media on Sundays. What started as a small act of not going on social media on Sundays turned into a real time of rest.
I started making time during the week to do housework or cleaning so that Sundays were restful. Then - I started cooking meals and checking my emails ahead of time too.
At the time of writing this, it has been about 3 months of this intentional practice of setting aside the Sabbath day to rest. I can attest that this has been so good for my mental and physical health.
The Lord wants this for all of us; to take a Sabbath day of rest.
Emily Ha, @inner.eminence
For me - a restful Sabbath has looked like:
going on a walk
calling a friend to catch up
reading that book that has been sitting on my nightstand for months
spending intentional time with friends or family.
While I had heard of the Sabbath my whole life growing up in the church - I never practiced it until now. Practicing the sabbath has changed my life. In this season of transition with a new job and going back to school and moving - the Sabbath has grounded me.
One of the most important things I’ve learned is that rest is available if I seek it. It is necessary and it helps us serve well.
Rest is part of the abundance the Lord talks about in the Gospels. When we take the time to rest and set boundaries to keep that time restful, we imitate our Lord. He took a Sabbath rest and encouraged His disciples to do the same. While it seems like slowing down would leave us more stressed - it leads to joy.
Like my friends - I think living in a more simplistic way can be healing and refreshing to the soul.
Now my weekdays can still look crazy, but my Sabbath practice allows me to enter the week with a peaceful and centered mindset. It is almost like the Lord knew we would need a consistent invitation to rest.
In talking with a friend about this recently - she reminded me of the verse from the Gospel - “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27)
Now, I know not everyone can take Sunday to not do any sort of work. In my current season of life as a single young adult, practicing the Sabbath requires a little bit of planning on my part. But, I know people who are living in different seasons of life might find it hard to fully disengage.
Instead of stripping everything away all at once, I invite you to pick one thing to rest from on Sundays. Maybe it is social media, or maybe housework.
Maybe you could add in something restful - a slow walk, extra prayer time, some intentional time with friends or family, a time of reflection, reading, or maybe a nap.
In these past few months, I have learned what works for me and what doesn’t. And yes - I am not perfect at it. Some Sundays, I have to head to the grocery store or I have to clean the apartment for guests. But, returning to the Sabbath Practice each week gives me a chance to reflect on creation and the Creator. In my rest, He fills me with His love - then I am ready to pour it back out into the life He has called me to live.
Meet Sara Coello
Sara is currently working as a campus minister in North Carolina where she spends most days hanging out with the students usually over coffee, leading small groups, and helping plan retreats and other events. She is a big fan of slow mornings with the help of coffee of course. Some of her favorite things include scented candles, the beach, driving with the windows down (blasting either Taylor Swift's or Maverick City's newest albums) and spending time with her family and friends. Sara is passionate about the mission of Live Today Well and is excited to continue engaging with our community through Instagram. Connect with Sara on Instagram @saramcoello.