We are blessed with inner rhythms that tell us where we are,
And where we are going, No matter, then,
Our fifty- and sixty-hour work weeks, the refusing to
Stop for lunch, the bypassing sleep and working deep
Into the darkness. If we stop, if we return to rest,
Our natural state reasserts itself.
Our natural wisdom and balance come to our aid,
And we can find our way to what is good, necessary, and true.
Wayne Muller, SABBATH
What is Sabbath?
Sabbath is…Rest and Worship: In today’s language Sabbath is a day of rest and renewal. Over time, since the early Jewish tradition of celebrating Sabbath on Saturday, Sunday then became the primary day of worship and rest. This practice is reflected in the Christian tradition of attending church services, taking time for reflection, and resting from work.
Sabbath gives…Spiritual Renewal: The role of Sunday as a “day of rest” focuses more on spiritual renewal and reflection on God’s grace, the teachings of Jesus, and the importance of community worship.
Theological Meaning: For many Christians, the Sabbath (or Sunday observance) symbolizes a rest found in Christ’s redemption, as described in Hebrews 4:9-10. It is not merely a physical rest but a spiritual rest, celebrating the new covenant brought by Jesus.
What happens when the Sabbath is forgotten?
Sabbath keeping is the linchpin of a life lived in sync with the rhythms. That God himself built into our world, and yet it is the discipline that seems hardest for us to live. Sabbath keeping honors the body’s need for rest; the spirit’s need for replenishment and the sou’s need to delight itself in God for God’s own sake. It begins with willingness to acknowledge the limits of our humanness and then take steps to live more graciously within the order of things.
Ruth Haley Barton, Strengthening the soul of your leadership
Our personal and corporate lack of attention to Sabbath keeping can significantly hinder our ability to experience spiritual wholeness in several ways:
Disconnection from Rest and Renewal
The Sabbath is a day of rest, a time set apart to rejuvenate both physically and spiritually. When we neglect this practice, we fail to intentionally disconnect from the relentless pace of daily life. Without a designated time for rest and reflection, we risk burning out, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. The absence of rest leads to exhaustion and makes it difficult to engage with the deeper aspects of our faith or experience moments of true spiritual renewal.
Loss of Sacred Time
Sabbath keeping isn’t just about physical rest, but it’s also a time to reorient ourselves towards God and reflect on the sacredness of life. By skipping or dismissing this practice, we fail to create space for prayer, meditation, worship, and scripture reading. This limits our spiritual growth and deprives us of opportunities to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, which is foundational to experiencing spiritual wholeness.
Disruption of Healthy Rhythms
Sabbath keeping helps create a rhythm of work and rest that nurtures spiritual, emotional, and physical balance. In a corporate or personal setting, neglecting this rhythm disrupts the flow of life and can cause us to operate in a constant state of striving and depletion. This imbalance erodes spiritual wholeness, as we are not functioning in the natural rhythm God intended for us.
Embracing Sabbath—whether personally or corporately—invites us into a deeper, more holistic experience of spiritual wholeness. By resting and focusing on God, we give ourselves space to be renewed and restored, fostering true spiritual health.
The concept of “pushing the pause button” in a world that’s “always on” can mean different things for different people, but for me, it brings a deep reflection on balance and intentionality, especially in a time where digital connectivity is relentless and often overwhelming. To be “paused” in the digital age means carving out spaces for rest, solitude, and presence—whether with others or within oneself. It’s about taking moments to disconnect from the constant stream of notifications, news, social media, and the pressure of always being available or engaged.
For me personally, the idea of “pushing the pause button” might involve consciously stepping away from technology to allow space for reflection, creativity, or simply peace. This could mean turning off notifications, spending time in nature, journaling, or engaging in activities that help center my mind and spirit away from the digital noise. It’s not about rejecting technology entirely, but rather reclaiming control over how it impacts my life and sense of well-being.
For a community of faith, being “on pause” can also be significant. Sabbath gives us time to pause and to disconnect from the busyness of life and focus on the spiritual, relational, and restorative aspects of life. In an “always-on” digital age, that idea takes on new layers. For faith communities, this could mean intentionally creating spaces for people to disconnect from the demands of work, digital life, and the speed of modern existence to come together for worship, prayer, and deepening relationships.
Pushing that pause button is not a rejection of technology, but rather an invitation to reclaim intentionality over our time and attention. It’s a way to seek balance between the demands of our always-on world and the need for spiritual, mental, and emotional well-being. So, where are you on this Sabbath journey? Do you need to push the pause button and take a day of silence from the busyness of life? Just remember that God has given you that gift. You just have to accept it.
Reflections 