I'm not certain many people know about the Sabbath or what it means to take a Sabbath rest!  We tend to live life at such a frantic pace.    

So what is special about the Sabbath?  Why did God give us the 4th Commandment?  Why do we call the Sabbath, the Lord's Day?  Why is our day of rest on the first day of the week, Sunday, instead of the last day, Saturday?  We hope to touch on each of these issues in our study this week. 

Do you believe in cycles?  God, our divine Creator, worked and then rested.  There's a rhythm in God's ways:  6 days on and one day off.  But note, the imperatives in this commandment. God commands not only that we rest, but that we work.  We take our lead from our Creator: work then rest. 

There's so much to talk about on this subject.  One thing that strikes me about keeping holy the Sabbath is the tendency of the work-place to dehumanize us, where people are often  valued for what they produce.  They're seen as a profit center, valued for the business they generate, the "rain" they make, rather than their special qualities as human beings who are made in the image and likeness of God.    

And so "keeping the Sabbath" helps us to re-center and get grounded once again in our relationship with God as we get ready to embark on a new work week with all of its demands and distractions, stresses and strains (and of course, joys!).  It reminds us that God loves us, blesses us, and has made us in him image and likeness.  As the redeemed in Christ, we have value.  He has touched and healed us.  We are His beloved!   

That's why they call it a Sabbath rest!  We are reminded of who we are in Christ, and re-establish our ground and center in Him.  We are refreshed, renewed, and encouraged ... we're ready for another week.  It causes us to shine ever more brightly in an otherwise dark world.  The Sabbath ensures that our lamps remain lit, that the light continues to shine ever so brightly in and through us.  "Let your light so shine before others that they may see your  good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:15.  

Have a great Life Group, and,

Blessings,

Michael