Dec.09.03: Lftd - "REST: Between Sloth and Sleep Deprivation" -- Exodus 20:11 (NIVUS) "For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth,  the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day.  Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy." -- Psalm 4:8  "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone,  O LORD, make me dwell in safety." ----------------- Not too many years ago, Sundays were days of rest. People went to church in the morning, had a family feast together in the afternoon, and rested in the evening. People rested and did not feel guilty about it, because it was Sabbath, a day of rest. Though you may not be able to return to those quiet Sundays, the concept of Sabbath can still help you regain a better balance between work and rest. You live in a workaholic society. You are proud that you accomplish so much, work so many hours, and produce and consume so much. But with busy schedules, cell phone, emails, fax machine, 24/7 days, you exhaust yourself and lose touch with the basic rhythms of creation. Even though your body and mind need rest, you often feel guilty, as if taking time to sleep, relax, and simply be a human being instead of a unit of production is a crime. The biblical concept of Sabbath challenges the workaholic consumer society. Sabbath is not merely a twenty-four-hour day of rest. Sabbath can be any length of time. What is important about creating your own sense of Sabbath rest is that you let go of your frantic agenda and let God take care of running the universe. Lighting candles, gathering in worship and prayer, singing songs, enjoying your children, loving your husband/wive, sharing meals, reading Scripture, and delighting in play are all part of Sabbath rest. A nap in the afternoon sun or a brisk walk over the hills is restful to body, mind, and spirit. If you dress up at work, dress down for a day off. If you have a job that requires uniforms or work clothes that get grimy, dressing up and going to a concert or out to dinner might be a restful and playful change for your soul. A beautiful black velvet dress and diamond drop earrings and somewhere to wear them may be as satisfying a way to play for a woman as getting into tennis whites or garden grubbies. It's about changing perspective, celebrating the beauties of your life, and taking a break from the regular routine. Setting aside work for one day a week, or for a few moments in a day, is an act of faith, not a sign of laziness or sloth. It is an acknowledgment that you were created for rhythms of rest and work. God created for six days, and on the seventh day He rested. It is a pattern that you can use to restore balance to your own life. -- Checklist for Life ---------------- -- Psalms 16:8,9 "8 I have set the LORD always before me.  Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;  my body also will rest secure." -- Psalms 62:5  "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;  my hope comes from Him." -- Proverbs 3:24  "When you lie down, you will not be afraid;  when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet." -- Psalms 91:1  "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will  rest in the shadow of the Almighty." -- Psalms 23:2,3 "2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,  He leads me beside quiet waters, 3 He restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake."