Tuesday, March 17th, 2020
Exodus 20:8-10
“Remember the sabbath day, and 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; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns.”
Rev. Sam shares a story with her readers that she once heard the fourth commandment described as a bridge between the first three commandments and the remaining six. *Page 22 of “The Sanctuary for Lent 2020.”
The first four commandments describes how we love God:
• No idols
• No worshiping other gods
• No misuse of God’s name
The remaining six describes how we love our neighbors:
• Honor your parents
• No murder
• No adultery
• No stealing
• No false witness
• No coveting
Rev. Sam suggests that how well we love God and our neighbors depends on how well we practice sabbath.
I’ve used this phrase before and hopefully you will recall it, “Practice does not make one perfect; Only perfect practice makes one perfect.” I really like how Rev. Sam put it, “Practice leads to progress, not perfection.”
“Practice leads to progress, not perfection.”
I simply love that phrase! This week we will be talking about REST, keeping the Sabbath! We are robbing ourselves of precious time with God by not keeping the Sabbath. When we fail to get enough rest, it effects all aspects of our lives. Our family and friends, our coworkers and even strangers. When thinking of the commandments the words: murder, adultery and stealing sound harsh, even distant to us. When we are grumpy and express our discontent, could that be a form of stealing joy or happiness from others(?). When we see others with nice expensive things and we turn a little bit green 🧩✳️ with envy or jealousy, isn’t that coveting. I’ll admit sometimes these situations are challenging but if we are loving our neighbors the way God has instructed us, we should share in their joys! Celebrating one another is a great way to build and strengthen relationships. When we rest, allowing our physical bodies to relax, and our emotional and spiritual counterparts to do the same; we are happier and healthier. Rest by reading your bible, watch an inspirational movie, read a book and take a trip with the author. Spend time doodling, coloring, taking pictures of nature, listening to music…the options are endless.
Psalm 55:6-7
“And I say, “O that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; truly, I would flee far away; I would lodge in the wilderness.” Selah
Mark 2:27-28
“Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”
Practice:
Choose one thing you will do for the next three days to connect with God, otters and yourself (read for 10 minutes, go to the park with your family, take a walk, meditate or color).
ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed below.
~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️
References:
https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm
https://www.abingdonpress.com/
HOPE SEEKER 
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