A Love of Sabbath, A Love of Rest

Can you name all 10 commandments? Check yourself here.

Sadly, the (4th) commandment concerning the Sabbath is often ignored or rationalized away. I, for one, hold a love of the Sabbath.

What is the Sabbath? In short, the Sabbath is a day of rest. People (including servants) and animals are to rest one day each week.

What is the Bible Basis for the Sabbath? (both in the Old Testament "OT" & New Testament "NT")
OT-Strong's Number H7676 and Strong's Number H7677
NT-Strong's Number G4521
If you are interested, you can follow the links to explore the laws, instances, and descriptions of the Sabbath.

It should be noted that it's important to make sure we keep spirit of law. Jewish tradition dictate that the Sabbath *must* be broken in order to save a life (you can read more about it here and here.)
Jesus noted that it's lawful to do good on the Sabbath.

In Chariots of Fire, the runner (Eric Liddell) refused to participate in a running heat when it was on a Sunday & would have broken his Sabbath.

What it looks like in our lives

There is one day each week where you don't have to go into your workplace. You don't have to clean the house. Naps are allowed. Reading and resting are encouraged. Check out this blog for ideas on good activities. The "whatevers" of the Bible are a good guideline for Sabbath activities. Ask yourself: is this activity true? Noble? Right? Pure? Lovely? Admirable? Excellent? Praiseworthy? If yes, then do it!! (see Phil. 4:8)

It's important to rethink how you Rethink "can't do...." as "don't have to do..." It's not "I can't do those dishes piling up in the sink." It's "Today's my Sabbath. I don't have to do the dishes piling up in the sink."

Keeping a Sabbath has an added benefit. You only have to make it six days before you can rest. Gone are the days of saying, "I don't get another day off until Thanksgiving" for you have a day to rest once a week.

I celebrate the Sabbath by drinking delicious tea, reading happy books, sleeping in, doing crafts I couldn't justify relaxing with during the week (until those crafts become work), and spending time with God.

Do you keep a Sabbath? How do you celebrate the Sabbath?