In the 1960’s, futurists predicted that advances in technology would lead to a “crisis of leisure.” It was predicted that by 1985 people would be working only 22 hours a week for 27 weeks a year! Today, Americans average four more weeks a year of work than they did in 1979. We don’t have more free time; instead we are busier than ever.
We have a problem.
The Bible teaches a different way of life than the busy and over-commitment way of the world. In fact, the Bible commands that once a week we’re to stop. We call that day sabbath. The word sabbath literally means to stop or to cease. Sabbath is an invitation to a different way of life.
Each Sunday during the season of Lent, February 26 through April 2 ( Palm Sunday), we will explore the biblical teaching of sabbath in a series called Rest. Sabbath is about much more than what we do one day a week; it is about our entire approach to how we spend our time. You may not think about this very often, but time is the most precious resource we have. It is the only resource that is limited – you can never get more of it. How we spend that resource matters and says a lot about how we actually trust God. As we go through this series, we’ll hear how the Scripture teaches us to slow down, find a different pace, and to trust God.
Recommended Reading List
The Sabbath by Abraham Johsua Heschel
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It’s Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature While Remaining Emotionally Immature by Peter Scazzero
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer
24/6: A Prescription for a Happier, Healthier Life by Matthew Sleeth
