Sabbath YearSeptember 2018

This devotion is comprised of different elements to be used throughout a Sabbath day. Some involve simply reading and reflecting, others call for study and devotion, while some might challenge you towards a new practice in your faith. The goal is not to complete the list, but to choose elements to be used throughout the day while in communion with God. Read the devotion prior to your Sabbath day and choose elements you’d like to incorporate. Finally, enjoy your time in rest with the Father.

Theme: Being vs. Doing (work)We are “human beings” not “human doings”. Incredibly corny I know, yet it points to the fact that we often define ourselves and associate our value by what we do. For many, a day is wasted if we can’t point to something we’ve accomplished. It’s September, kids from pre-school through college have started classes, and from beginning to end it will be impressed upon them that the purpose of their educational journey, and even their lives, is to find and pursue what they will do. This devotion is not designed to denigrate work (it is a source of worship), but to remind us that Sabbath calls for us to cease from work so we can remember that we are defined by who we belong to, and not what we do.

Prayer: Read one or both prayers slowly, one phrase at a time. Take time at the end to rest in silence, holding only to the word “be”. Consider using one of these prayers to start your day over the next couple weeks.Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him. Be still, and know that I am God!Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently… Be still, and know that I am…Be still before the Lord, and wait… Be still, and know…Be still before the Lord… Be still…Be still… Be… Psalm 46:10Be… Psalm 37:7

Quote: Meditate on these quotes related to work and Sabbath.

“Do you, when you wake up in the night, remember what you were supposed to have done, vexed that you did not meet expectations? Do you fall asleep counting bricks? Do you dream of more bricks you have to make yet or of bricks you have made that were flawed? We dream so because we have forgotten the exodus! Well…Sabbath is the break, regular and public, that permits us to remember. Sabbath is the opportunity to recall Egypt and Pharaoh and then to remember YHWH and exodus. Sabbath is the day to dance and sing, “Free at last, free at last!” -Walter Brueggemann

“To act as if the world cannot get along without our work for one day in seven is a startling display of pride that denies the sufficiency of our generous Maker.” -Dorothy Bass

ScriptureRead John 15:1-9: A Passage on “Being”Jesus invites us to “remain” (“abide” in other translations) in him. There are plenty of questions for study that could be asked (How does remaining produce fruit and what is the fruit? How does and is God pruning me? “Ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you???”). Today, I would challenge you to approach the passage not as study, but as meditation using one or both of these suggestions.-Read the passage and meditate on its imagery. Imagine yourself as the branch connected to Jesus, the vine. Think of Jesus as your sole source of nourishment. Picture the fruit that comes through your connection with Jesus. See it as a blessing to others, and see it bringing glory to God.Spend the rest of your day remembering that you are intimately connected to Jesus, the vine.-Lectio Divina: Read the passage slowly, more than once. Listen for a word or phrase that stands out from the rest. Now meditate only on that word. What does it make you feel, think, see? What is important about that word or picture to you right now? With this meditation in mind, spend some time with God in prayer. Finally, rest in silence with only John 15:9 in mind, “remain in my love”.

Read Luke 10:38-42: A Picture of Doing vs. BeingReflect on these two sets of questions related to the story. Martha: How are you like Martha? Do you have “distractions” and “preparations” that keep you from being with God, with others, with yourself? What are they? Martha resents the fact that Mary isn’t working as diligently. Does the importance of work/accomplishment bring this type of resentment or other relational struggles into your life? Jesus says, “You are worried and upset about many things.” What are these things in your life?Mary: How are you like Mary? Jesus says, “few things are needed”. What are the few necessary things in your life? How are you prioritizing to make them most important? Where/What are the times and spaces you have to sit at Jesus’ feet? Do you sense you are choosing the “better” thing when you are in that place? How does Jesus affirm this to be true?

Creative Worship: When it comes to the act of “being,” there are two ways to think about it: we can be alone or we can be together. We encourage you to pick the activity below that may challenge you, but also help you grow deeper in your understanding of being. (Because of the nature of this creative worship, you may choose to participate in this activity on a day other than your sabbath—though both activities are in keeping with the sabbath mindset.) In both activities, take what you have learned from the above material and put it into practice.Being alone (30 minutes +): Take this period of solitude and hold it in your hands. What does it look like? It could be quiet or filled with worshipful singing. It could be taken lying down or strolling around your neighborhood. The focus should be solely on our Father—what do you want to say to Him in this one-on-one time? Or do you prefer to spend this time in a comfortable side-by-side silence?Being together (30 minutes +): The Bible is full of groups and pairs of people walking together in faith, whether it’s Joshua and Caleb heading into the Promised Land, or the 12 disciples following their divine leader through the dust. You may choose one or two other believers or several, and gather to spend time together. There should be no agenda to accomplish anything, but do feel free to enjoy nature at the beach or through a hike or around a table for a meal.

Looking Forward: Reflecting on this topic and day, what might you implement/change to create more space for simply being with others and God.

Sabbath Journal: Take time at the end of each Sabbath day to journal your thoughts.