Moments Together for Couples 4/17

by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

Exodus 34:21
You shall work six days, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during plowing time and harvest you shall rest.

Start by setting aside Sunday as a day of rest. Within the Ten Commandments, God has provided a long-standing truth that our modern culture is ignoring, to its detriment. The Sabbath is to be a day set apart unto God-a day of rest in which to refuel our perspectives and refresh our communion with Him.

God knows that after working hard for six days, we all need some time off. The problem is, we ignore His command and race through life. But our needs for rest can't be denied. Which word best describes our lives, our society: "rest" or "weariness"?

God knew that it's important to step out of the demands of work and the pace of everyday life. That is the purpose of the Sabbath-to give us time to rest, to reflect, to think critically about life and where our choices are taking us.

Over the last five years, Barbara and I became more aware of our need to regard the Sabbath as a day of rest. And I'd have to say that we feel like we have a long way to go on really recapturing what God had in mind. But we try to make Sunday different. A nap. Time to read. Recreation as a family that is not demanding. We usually do not work in the yard. (The kids now remind us of the Sabbath if we ask them to do something outside on Sunday!) And Barbara and I generally go out on a date to eat dinner and talk on Sunday evening.

Now, let me make one thing real clear-we don't always do a great job of observing the day of rest. Barbara would join me in saying we've failed miserably, but the standard is there and we are moving toward it in our choices about how we spend our time.

If we in the Christian community would decide to try to rest on Sundays, we would begin to reap the enriching qualities of clear minds, relaxed spirits and the knowledge that our lives are well-pleasing to God.

Prayer:

That you will take the time God has set aside to gain the rest you need to face the pressures and responsibilities of your life.

Discuss: How do you spend your Sundays? What can you change in your schedule to begin to make Sunday a day of rest?

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