September 14, 2007 Rest

Jesus said: "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Mark 2:27.

It's so easy in this fast pace, multi-tasking world to get caught up in the busy-ness of life. In an age of two-income families, it's nearly impossible to set aside an entire day of rest. And yet God commanded it and He did so for our own benefit! On our day off - we find ourselves doing housecleaning, yard work, running the kids around, catching up on email or any of a myriad of activities. When is the last time you took a whole day and did nothing?

The Pharisees went too far so that cooking(though even the cook deserves a break) or even picking an apple off a tree was considered work. But we have taken it too far the other way. We are consumed with guilt when we do find that rare time with nothing scheduled. God Himself ordained it! One day of guilt-free rest! Take a nap, take a walk, read a book, go on a pic-nic. One day of rest to do......absolutely......nothing!God made the Sabbath - a day of rest - just for you, His beloved. One day to stop and smell the roses!