While You are Resting, God is Working
“After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ The sick man answered him, ‘Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Stand up, take your mat and walk.’ At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk. Now that day was a sabbath.
John 5:1-9, NRSV
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e practice of observing the Sabbath for many non-Jews is becoming more prevalent today. Sabbath, which means rest, is a day of religious observance and abstinence from all things related to work. According to biblical tradition, it commemorates the original seventh day on which God rested after completing the creation. It is the day that I have chosen not to answer the phone because I am taking time to be grateful for life and focus on what God has for me.
What is most important about recognizing the day of rest is to center one's thoughts and actions toward God. What day of the week can you set aside to observe the Sabbath? While it may not be possible to dedicate an entire day of rest, perhaps you can choose to rest, reflect and read for a few hours. The Sabbath should be observed especially by those who know you so that they can witness your devotedness to God.
Remember, the Sabbath is a day to show one's reverence and appreciation for God. God allows and wants us to take a break. Some days, I feel as if I am missing out on everything that the world has to offer if I am not up early enough or stay up late. Yet, this Scripture passage helps me realize that even while we rest God is still working.
The Barna Group, which is a research group that has been tracking the role of faith in America for the past 30 years, reported in November 2021 that 38 percent of pastors indicated they had considered quitting full-time ministry within the past year. (Nearly two in five pastors have considered quitting the ministry.) This percentage has increased nine full points (from 29 percent) since the organization asked church leaders this same question in January 2021. Due to burnout and overworking, even spiritual leaders are forgetting that one of the most pivotal aspects of believing is to rest.
Today, allow God to find you in a place of solitude and work for you. Trust God’s promise to care for His creation, which is you.
“Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:4
