When I was in college, I was introduced to what Sabbath really means and what it could look like to practice the weekly rhythm of observing the Sabbath as a day of rest. It was my InterVarsity leader who shared about how it was a day for “praying + playing,” and that’s stuck with me. I dabbled in this rhythm for a while, never fully committing to making it meaningful and intentional until 2020.

For almost two years now, I have faithfully observed the Sabbath without fail every single Friday evening to Saturday evening (since I work on Sundays being in ministry). It has completely changed my life, my faith, and my heart, too.

It’s one day of every week that I choose to do things differently.

For me, it starts Friday night at 5pm and goes for 24 hours until Saturday night at 5pm. It’s the day of the week that I prioritize rest, and focus on those two things I was taught so many years ago -- praying + playing. I use those two terms loosely, as it’s not that I necessarily spend all day with my head bowed in prayer, but more that I focus on things that connect me back to Christ and bring life to my soul.

It’s the single best thing I do in my life to connect me back to my Creator and to rest in my truest identity as a beloved child of God, and I cannot recommend creating a weekly Sabbath rhythm in your life enough!

Is it hard? Yes. Is it tempting to get back online, to check social media, to do work? Yes! And that reinforces just why it’s SO necessary to take the break in the first place. Is it always super spiritual? Heck no. Do I still do chores or spend money or go places or exert energy? Yes, of course. Maybe that will change in time, maybe I’ll evolve my Sabbath practices or what I abstain from, but for now, this is what’s working for me, and I’m so grateful for it.

Why I Sabbath:

this is the heart behind this weekly rhythm in my life

this was originally written back in 2016, and it holds true today!

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I'm taking the liberty of making this holy proper noun a verb, so just go with it.

I sabbath because a day of rest was instilled in my very soul from the very beginning of all creation by our good, gracious God.

I sabbath because six days of work is enough.

I sabbath because after the work and the words and the errands and the meetings and the emails and the chores, my soul needs to say selah. I need the pause, I need to praise.

I sabbath because I need to reflect, to remember. I need to be restored and reminded of God’s faithfulness in all things.

I sabbath because I believe God when God set commandments for God’s people, because I trust that God designs good patterns for his children, because I have faith that God will satisfy my every need even when I'm resting and recharging.

I sabbath because I know how small I am. I know even that seventh day of work wouldn't be enough to make me big or powerful or remarkable on my own. If God, the Creator of all, the Lord of all, the Ruler of all, the Maker of all rested on the seventh day, why would I ever think I'm above that same rest? I'm not. I know I am small. I know I need a day of recalibration to put God in the rightful place in my heart before a new week begins again.

I sabbath because I’m not a fan of the hustle. Some see the weekend as two extra days to chase dreams and make things happen and get ahead. I’m not here for the nonstop rat race, the frenzy, the mayhem, the cutthroat nature of business, the competition. It's killing us. We are stressed out, manic, impatient, and frazzled. Nothing about that is attractive. Sabbath offers an alternative that is restorative. I will choose it every week because it keeps me sane. It's a soothing balm on a weary soul.

I sabbath because there is beauty to be seen, and I miss it when I'm scrolling and double tapping and gluing my eyes to a screen.

I sabbath because I value the people around me, value the city I live in, and value my own passions enough to connect with them intentionally every week.

I sabbath because it refuels me.

I sabbath because it restores me.

I sabbath because I want an obedient faith, not out of duty or obligation, but out of a surrendered and humbled heart wanting to glorify its Maker.

It's counter-cultural. It's unconventional. It's challenging. It’s the very, very best thing.

How I Sabbath:

these are the practicals of how i spend my sabbath:

I set “downtime” limits on my iPhone, so essentially all of my apps lock down and are unavailable to me. I keep a few on, such as texts, calls, photos, music, and podcasts
All social media, email, anything related to work? They’re all off for a full 24 hours.
I don’t open my computer at all
I don’t watch TV or movies, unless it’s with somebody else. (aka i’m not just binging Netflix as a numbing thing!)
I read a TON
I take a lot of pictures as a fun creative outlet
I usually get outside and talk a walk
I spend quality time reading my Bible, doing my devotions, etc
I have started a new thing where I get/make/eat pizza on Friday nights to kick off Sabbath
I often bust out my paints or cook a new recipe or plant things in my patio garden or just do something with my hands
I nap— literal rest is a crucial part of Sabbath for me

Basically, it’s a day full of things that bring me joy, with none of the distractions. It has become my favorite day, and i look forward to it so much. Shutting out the noise and getting back to the good stuff is life-changing, and i highly, HIGHLY recommend it.