On a scale of one to ten, with one representing no or little rest – and ten being perfect rest, where do you find yourself?  Most people I’ve talked to recently are very “busy” and stressed out by their current life circumstance and work. Our culture tends to encourage “burning the candle at both ends”.  The U.S. Center for Disease Control states that more than half of all deaths between the ages of one and 65 result from stressful lifestyles.  How do you and your family meet this common scenario?

Proskuneo Ministries believes strongly in working diligently – balanced with appropriate rest, including the encouragement of all our staff to take one 24 hour period each week for Sabbath Rest. And, we devote one week of each year to worship, rest, relaxation, fellowship, and giving God glory for all He has done in – and through, Proskuneo. Not all work groups are willing to build Sabbath Rest into the fabric of their organizations. One reason is that Sabbath Rest seems unproductive.

God’s word, the Bible, says:  ”Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. [Exodus 20:8-11]

Somehow, many of us want to keep all the other big nine commandments in the Bible, but think it is OK not to keep this one. What’s the difference? Is it a heart issue of trusting God to care for us? Are we afraid to take a next step to rest and be OK with what others might think? Are there other heart-level questions that jump out at us as we read the commandment and examine our own lives?

Proskuneo Ministries president, Josh Davis, wrote an important guiding document for the scriptural overview of Sabbath. Here are statements from that text that our staff recognizes as we have learned to keep the Sabbath:

1. Knowing God is more important than producing, doing things for Him. (Psalm 46:10)
2. He sustains us and provides for us, not our own work. (Ps. 104:13-15, 27-28)
3. His ways are higher than our ways. (Isaiah 55)
4. Obeying Him is more important than getting more accomplished.
5. He knows what is best for us.

Could we all commit to taking God at His word and implementing Sabbath Rest? Do you need ideas for what to do (or not do) on a Sabbath Day with your family?  We would be happy to help, and pray for you as you make changes!  God bless you as you live out Sabbath Rest for God’s glory!

Heidi Thomas has served on staff with Proskuneo Ministries for five years, and has been learning more and more about the benefits of implementing Sabbath Rest. She can be reached by email at info@proskuneo.info.