This Lent, we are focusing on the practice of Sabbath. Nothing is more counter-cultural in our world today than the invitation to Sabbath. Whether or not you believe that Christians are supposed to keep the Sabbath is not the point. The invitation to it remains, and we need it! It’s an invitation to stop striving and to rest in God. It’s an invitation to resist the relentless pressure to do, have, and achieve more. It’s an invitation to become a human being again, as opposed to a “human doing.” In this series, we won’t just learn about the Sabbath; we’ll practice observing it for the season of Lent.

 

How to Sabbath

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to Sabbath, but these steps can help you begin:
1) Set aside a 24-hour period, often evening to evening, once per week. If that feels like too much, start with smaller intentional blocks of time, like 2 or 4 hours per week.
2) Mark the transition into Sabbath with a simple practice like lighting a candle, saying a prayer, putting your phone in a drawer, or turning off all screens.
3) Say “no” to work and “yes” to delight. Choose activities that give life and joy (Isaiah 58:13), and prepare ahead so rest is truly possible.
4) Be gracious with yourself. Sabbath takes practice. Remember that Jesus said the Sabbath was made for humans, not the other way around. God meets us with grace as we learn to Sabbath.

 

Resources for Going Deeper