Sabbath Rest
by Angela Weir
An amusing, true story reached us from the United States via email recently: a beautiful golden retriever arrived in a lady’s garden, wagging his tail. He made his way into the house, found somewhere comfortable, curled up and went to sleep. After an hour or so, he got up, stretched and left the house, but he returned again the next day and on a number of days after that. Eventually curiosity got the better of the house owner and she attached a note to the dog’s collar – “I’m curious about the owner of this delightful dog who comes to take an hour’s rest in my house so regularly.” The next day the dog arrived with a reply was attached to his collar: “He lives in a house with 6 children, 2 of them under 3 years old. Tomorrow I’m coming with him!”
That dog knew the wisdom of taking a break from life’s hectic whirl. When God created the universe He, too, rested after six days, and recently He has been impressing on me how important it is to take a proper break on a regular basis. This is particularly so for those in full time Christian work, who may think that they are somehow exempt because they are involved in the Lord’s work.
I do not believe it is honouring to the Lord to work non-stop. Every one of us needs to take regular time out to recharge our batteries and to refocus, and a day’s rest each week enables us to go back to work again refreshed and re-invigorated.
Prayer: Father, please forgive me that I have not always honoured Your holy Sabbath. Please help me to reorganise my life so that I take proper rest and refreshment in You, each week. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Angela Weir has been associated with Ellel Ministries from the very beginning, first as an associate member of the ministry team and later as an associate teacher. She trained as an actress before moving to Cumbria, where she taught drama in a girls’ school. She now teaches and ministers at various Ellel Centres.
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