GroshLink

“Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.  I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” (Matt. 11:28 MSG)

On Sunday, the Disciples Fellowship Group at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ discussed Chapter 4, Part 1, of Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity (Keri Wyatt Kent. Zondervan. 2009).* Building upon

• "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Intro/Chapter 1
• "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Chapter 2
• "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Chapter 3, Part 1
• "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Chapter 3, Part 2

Theresa prepared the below material to facilitate the conversation (Note: study posted in PDF here). You'll note how our fellowship group's consideration of Rest has themes similar to what is found in Theresa's God at Work Testimony (6/19/2011).  Feel free to share your thoughts with us by comments, email, personal conversation ...

Rest

By Keri Wyatt Kent

Disciples Fellowship Group   Summer 2011

Chapter 4: Revising: A Shift from Rut to Rhythm, Part 1

“The rhythm of life for countless people . . . emerges as one that oscillates between driven achievement (both on and off the job) and some form of mind-numbing private escape.  This crazed rhythm, based on a distorted view of human reality, increasingly poisons our institutions, relationships and quality of life.” –Tilden Edwards, Sabbath Time

Do you see this pattern in your life or in the lives of friends?

What are your thoughts and feelings about Sundays?  Do they feel different, set-apart, for you?  Or do you feel an additional chore of getting everyone up and dressed for church and then have to entertain everyone at home for the rest of the day?

“Moms don’t get a day off!”  Or Dads.  Or Farmers . . . “In some seasons, you have to revise your expectations.  In others, you actually have to revise your life.  Part of what we do in Sabbath-keeping is to revise, to try a new direction or way of approaching things.” (p. 92)

Start your Sabbath journey right where you are.  “Sabbath is a day when we can spend time with Jesus.  It’s so much more than just a day to chill.  It’s a day to rest in God’s presence, to respond to Jesus’ invitation, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’ (Matt. 11:28).” (p. 94)

“To rest requires a bit of planning.  We have to prepare.  We have to say no, over and over.  We’ve got to make some changes.” (p. 94)

“Revising your life, getting unstuck . . . is a process. . . . Our tendency is to want to revise other people or their actions, but really, the only person we can truly change is ourselves.” (p. 95)

“I try to rest in a way that is inviting to my family.  I model quietness. . . . The day is marked by things we don’t do — shopping, housework, or laundry.  We don’t hurry.” (p. 95)

“As a mom of little ones, my work is never done, and Sabbath in a way gives me permission to rest even though the work isn’t done. . . . For most of us that’s a good place to begin — to change our thinking about what to include in our Sabbath practice.” (p. 99)

“Revise with grace.  Even if you are in a different place in your spiritual journey than your spouse, you can still walk in the same direction. . . . Put your energy into setting up the day so that you can rest, so that you are available relationally.  Gently invite others to join you.” (p. 99) 

“Your goal in revising is not to whip others into shape but to allow Christ to transform your soul.” (p. 100)

“Creating a restful atmosphere requires preparation.  So in the days prior to Sabbath, do the chores you will not do that day: clean the house, do the laundry, shop for groceries. . . . It takes planning but it’s not impossible.  When you have a guest come to your house, you work ahead of time . . . so that you can spend time with them.  On Sabbath, Jesus is your honored guest.” (p. 101)

God invites us to rest for a day, so 24 hours should be our goal.  But maybe as a first step you may decide to do half a Sabbath.  If you start Saturday evening, get the kids ready for bed early and prepare a simple meal.  Spend the evening in conversation, or reading.  Have family devotions.  Take a walk.  Play a game.  Attend Sat. evening church services.  Go to bed.  There’s half a Sabbath!  On Sunday go to church.  There’s three-fourths of a Sabbath!

Trust.  Do you trust God to guide you through a major life revision?  “It’s one thing to say, ‘God loves me no matter what,’ but to have a day when we accomplish nothing and feel God’s pleasure — that’s a transformational experience.” (p. 104)

Taking a day off may be scary.  You may feel like if you stop working you will fail to provide for your family.  “’Most men — and increasingly in our culture, women — identify themselves with their job.  When people meet me, the first thing they ask is, What do you do?  In our culture, productivity is our way to express value.  I don’t know anyone who ever expresses that they don’t have enough to do.’” (Cec Murphy, p. 108)

Updated: 7/3/2011, 3:24 PM EST