The Sabbath: An Unopened Gift—Why Aren’t We Opening It?

Imagine receiving a beautifully wrapped gift, filled with peace, renewal, and divine connection—yet leaving it unopened. That’s exactly how I feel about what I do with the Sabbath.

In our fast-paced world, setting aside a day for rest and worship seems nearly impossible. There are errands to run, commitments to keep, and an endless to-do list. Yet, from the very beginning, God designed the Sabbath as a gift, not a burden focusing on 3 things: rest, reflection, and reconnection with God.

God’s Example of Rest

In Genesis 2:2-3, after creating the heavens and the earth in six days, God rested on the seventh day and made it holy. He didn’t rest out of exhaustion (no way would I want to serve a God that got tired!) but to set a pattern for us—a divine rhythm of work and renewal. Later, in Exodus 20:8, He commands His people:

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

But somewhere along the way, we forgot.

The Sabbath in the New Testament

Many Christians point to Acts 20:7, where believers gathered on the first day of the week to break bread, as a shift toward Sunday worship. Others reference Jesus’ words in Mark 2:27-28, reminding us:

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

Jesus didn’t abolish the Sabbath; He redefined it. He showed that the Sabbath isn’t about legalistic rules—it’s about renewal, restoration, and drawing near to God. It’s good for us!

Why Should We Observe the Sabbath Today?

Life is exhausting. Between work, responsibilities, and the constant noise of the world, we are drained physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Observing the Sabbath isn’t about following a rigid set of rules; it’s about pausing—to worship, reflect, and reconnect with God and our loved ones.

What if we saw the Sabbath as a reset button? A time to:
✅ Worship and grow spiritually
✅ Spend quality time with family
✅ Serve others through acts of kindness
✅ Unplug from the noise of life and rest in God’s presence

What Sabbath Could Look Like in 2025

Honoring the Sabbath doesn’t have to look like it did in biblical times, but the heart behind it remains the same. In today’s world, it could look like:

🌿 Unplugging from social media and technology – Turning off notifications, stepping away from the endless scroll, and quieting the noise to focus on God and the people around us. I wrote a separate blog on my weekly #24hourtechbreak you may find interesting.

🍽️ Sharing a meal with friends and family – Gathering around the table for a slow, intentional dinner, perhaps lighting candles and beginning with a simple prayer of remembrance: “Lord, thank You for this day of rest. Help us to pause, reflect, and draw near to You.”

📖 Spending time in Scripture and worship – Whether it’s attending a church service, singing worship songs at home, or reading passages that remind us of God’s faithfulness.

🚶 Getting outside in nature – Taking a long walk, breathing in fresh air, and being reminded of God’s creation.

🙏 Practicing acts of mercy and kindness – Visiting someone who is lonely, writing an encouraging note, or simply slowing down enough to notice the needs of others.

🛋️ Truly resting – Taking a nap, reading a book, or simply sitting in stillness without feeling guilty about it.

Reclaiming the Gift

The Sabbath isn’t about what we can’t do; it’s about what we gain—peace, joy, and a deeper relationship with God. The challenge isn’t whether we “have to” observe it, but rather, why wouldn’t we want to?

So, let’s open the gift. Let’s embrace the rest, renewal, and worship that God intended for us. Because in a world that never stops, choosing to pause in His presence might just be the most radical, life-giving decision we make.

I am still wrestling through what it means to observe the Sabbath in 2025. I currently have the following books in my Amazon cart to dive even deeper into this topic. I figure if I’m feeling convicted, I better do something about it!