How to Rest Roadmap – 5 Steps to Taking a Sabbath

Hey Friend!

Do you have a hard time taking a break? Does rest constantly elude you? As you juggle running a business, living out your faith, and being present with your family, the idea of taking a full Sabbath may sound impossible.

Whether you’re entering a new season or your routine looks the same every week, the Sabbath creates intentional space in your life to pause, reflect, and worship. This might be a brand new concept for you, or maybe you’ve heard of it but never lived it out. We will look at five steps to achieve much-needed rest in your faith journey and your business.

Defining The Sabbath

Sabbath originates in the Old Testament and is derived from the Hebrew word Shabbat, meaning to rest or cease. It is a day set aside for rest and worship and is still observed in Judaism. While it was practiced in early Christianity, it’s also seen a recent resurgence in modern Christianity.

There’s a Sabbath in its entirety, which entails ceasing from everything for a full 24 hours. There’s also a Sabbath from certain things, like fasting from social media or sugar (or other things).

Some questions you may be asking about Sabbath:

• Does it always have to be 24 hours?
• Does it have to always be on Sunday?
• What am I allowed to do while on Sabbath?
• How often should I practice the Sabbath?

Remember, the goal isn’t legalism. The Fourth Commandment instructed Israel to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. But with Jesus came a new freedom from the Law and the hope of the gospel.

While Jesus beautifully shifted history, it’s still important to recognize that the Old Testament laws were given for a reason. The law may not bind us, but we can employ some ancient practices and find a blessing in them.

I hope this biblical roadmap to rest encourages you to:

• take a step away from all the busyness and never-ending to-do lists
• connect with God, your family, and yourself
• renew and refresh your faith
• get excited for what’s to come

First Step in Taking a Sabbath – Recognize the Need for Rest

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.”

Exodus 20: 8-10, ESV

This concept is so important. It’s essential because your body, mind, and spirit need it.

Your family and business need it, and everything needs rest. For us Christians, when we rest from our work, from our doing, we return to God—we return to the Source.

Here are some indicators you need rest. Maybe you find yourself feeling:

• overwhelmed
• highly anxious
• chaotic
• flighty
• stressed
• angry
• resentful
• difficulty remembering things

All of these emotions are discernment alarms. The Holy Spirit is tugging on you to take a break and rest.

In my opinion, it doesn’t have to be every Sunday or every week. You pray and discern how often it needs to be for you. Regardless of how long or how frequently it occurs, the key is recognizing that it is necessary in your life.

Second Step in Taking a Sabbath – Seek God’s Guidance

Psalm 23:1-3 – “The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters and restores my soul.”

Has God ever had to make you lie down and take a break? Our pride tells us we don’t need a break. But I’ve learned the hard way. It’s easier to recognize when a break (or Sabbath) is required and do it in obedience.

The Lord is your shepherd. You can have faith He will:

• lead you
• guide you
• tell you what to do
• give you the gift of restoration

When is the right time to take a break? Will you trust that your to-do list will still get done if you take a break? You can confidently pray to Him and ask for wisdom and discernment.

If we humble ourselves and admit we need rest, restoration and delight await us on the other side. Saying “no” to the Sabbath is like refusing a special gift from God.

Another Way To Think About It

Imagine your mom bought you the most beautiful leather coat. You’ve been thinking about it for years but never allowed yourself to purchase it. She went to every store to find the perfect type of leather and the exact color you wanted. She went home and tenderly wrapped the gift. It was so beautifully wrapped that you immediately noticed it when you came over on Christmas.

A fantastic amount of time, energy, money, and heart went into the gift, and it would bring her so much joy to give you the gift and to see your face light up. But you’re in the next room thinking, “I can’t open that gift. I’m way too busy over here doing something that brings me purpose and makes me money.” Imagine the disappointment and heartache of your loved one who had prepared the perfect gift for you.

That’s what it’s like when you turn away from God’s gift of rest. But when we accept His gift, it brings Him joy. Open the gift. You deserve it, and God wants you to delight in the good gift He has prepared for you.

Third Step in Taking a Sabbath – Plan and Prepare

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

Proverbs 16:3, ESV

Sometimes, to rest, we need to plan and prepare, so talk to God about it. Seek His guidance on organization and how to best prepare for your Sabbath.

If you want to go on Sabbath during the weekend, you must finish your work by Friday. Maybe you need to tackle the laundry midweek to rest and do other fun things on the weekend.

In addition to physical readiness, there’s mental and spiritual readiness. The Sabbath can be unexpectedly beautiful and like fresh air for your faith. Other times, it can be transformational for your whole life. What’s the headspace you want to enter into your Sabbath with? What’s going on in your heart at the moment?

Reframing what you want your Sabbath to look and feel like helps you prepare accordingly. Of course, our plans can change, and God ultimately controls how your Sabbath will look. If you don’t create intentionality around opening the gift of the Sabbath, you’ll miss the joy and restoration of faith waiting for you.

Fourth Step in Taking a Sabbath – Disconnect and Reflect

“And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.”

Mark 6:31, ESV

Let’s break down what Jesus says:

• come with Me – spending time with God
• by yourself – not always possible, but look out for pockets of time for alone time with God
• to a quiet place – physically and mentally quiet, not with your cell phone distracting you

Disconnecting is the undercurrent of this verse. It’s tough to disconnect when you constantly have dings and pings coming in from your phone. My suggestion? Delete the social media apps from your phone and tablet. Or better yet, totally delete your social media accounts.

You’ll be blown away by the mental clarity you regain and how many things in your life will heal. They’ll be healed just from the space, the surrender, and the obedience.

That surrender and obedience allow space for new things to emerge. Then, take time to reflect. Reflect on your life. Reflect on your relationship with God. Journal, pray and seek Him. Taking time to reflect allows your faith to grow and expand.

Fifth Step in Taking a Sabbath – Be Grateful in Worship

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”

Psalm 100:4, ESV

As you return from Sabbath, don’t jump straight back into the crazy, busy, and chaotic. Ease in and express gratitude to God for the time you had, whether you had ten minutes or ten days. This might sound like, “Thank you, God, for the rejuvenation and restoration.”

Use it as an opportunity to worship Him for all He did in that rest time. Thank Him for the beautifully wrapped gift He’s given you. And you can choose to open that gift every day – how amazing! Spending time in gratitude will bring you so much completeness and fully close out your beautiful Sabbath experience.

Maybe this week is the perfect week to take a break, rest, and seek God’s guidance in faith for what He has in store for you next.

I pray this blesses you!

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