Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it Holy!

Growing up I remember the blue laws.  Some of you may not know what the blue laws were.  They were laws that reflected our religious standards.  They kept retailers from opening stores and even selling certain items on Sunday.  Your employer didn’t expect you to work on Sunday.  Sunday was a day of rest.  Other countries that have these laws are Israel in which Saturday is the day of rest.  Canada has The Lord’s Day Act and most Muslim countries have laws that set aside certain months or times of prayer that require stores to close. 

Slowly over the years these laws and our religious standards have gone by the wayside.  People are forgetting to honor the God who created them and the beautiful planet they inhabit.  People are forgetting that the day of rest is a gift.  It is for our physical and mental health. 

Instead we suffer burnout, physical fatigue, emotional stress, and become spiritually empty. 

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

Yes, rest is a gift! Next time you think it is just another command to honor God, remember that he was really thinking about us. 

Thank you Lord for knowing what we need and when we need it.  Thank you for thinking about what is good for us as your creation and knowing that we need this rest to be able to be all you want us to be.  Thank you for setting the example by showing us that although you worked to create , you also rested to enjoy it.  May we always honor you by obeying your commands.

Amen