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It seemed a lot easier to rest on Sundays when I was a growing up.  With my parents and siblings I would attend Sunday School and church, then submitted to a boring “Sunday drive” so my mother could indulge her love of looking at houses around town.  When at last we’d return home, I changed my clothes, and played with friends in the neighbourhood until supper time.  This was in contrast to weekdays when we had to go to school, and Saturdays when we had to do chores.  So Sundays were comparatively free of work.  Most of the stores were closed on Sundays back then, so there was little temptation to go shopping.  Gradually as I grew up, social practices and mores became more liberal and Sunday became more like every other day of the week.

Unintentionally, I began to notice last year during Bible reading, the numerous commands to keep the Sabbath holy and not do any work on that day.  Particularly through Jeremiah and Ezekiel I noticed God’s stern words against Israel’s neglect and abuse of the Sabbath.  I could clearly see that God takes the Sabbath very seriously, though I didn’t really understand why.

So when we were encouraged during the “Cultivating Life” series to commit to a spiritual discipline, it seemed timely that I commit to honouring the Sabbath, out of obedience and conformity with God’s word, but still without much understanding of why God commanded a Sabbath rest.  I soon discovered that it requires some planning to carry out this commitment.  I realized I need to plan my Sunday meals ahead of time to be sure I have the necessary items on hand, so I won’t have to go to the store.  When possible I cook enough food on Saturday to allow for leftovers on Sunday so that minimal work is needed for meal preparation.  I devote my free time on Sundays to doing my ‘homework’ for the coming week’s Bible Studies, which I enjoy doing and, since it is time spent with the Lord in prayer and in His Word, I don’t count it as work.  I also often do some walking or biking or swimming, which are fun and are good for my body, so I don’t count that as work either.

The act of honouring the Sabbath by consciously eliminating as much work on Sundays as I can has opened my eyes to God’s purpose in giving us the Sabbath rest.  The day without work breaks the cycle of busyness, so I don’t tend to spiral out of control with ever-increasing to do lists.  It also sets the stage for the week to come, so that I enter the new week centered on God and with greater peace in my mind and heart.  I’m thankful for this teaching; it has enabled me to begin to understand why Jesus said the Sabbath is made for people, not people for the Sabbath.



Melissa has attended NSA for 8 years with her husband, Rob.  She enjoys travelling, nature and outdoor activities.