Spiritual Practices: Sabbath Rest

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31, NIV

In our series on the spiritual practices, we've been talking about training ourselves for godliness (1 Tim. 4:7). The word "training" has an athletic or exercise meaning in the Greek. Well-documented research shows the importance of rest for athletes within their training regimen. Specifically in the area of strength training, rest has been shown to help athletes' muscles recover. Strength training is designed to break muscle tissue down in order to help those muscles grow back stronger. However, if rest is not part of the training equation, this training simply leads to break down and not strength gains. In other words, rest helps athletes recover, be restored and grow stronger.

That's the picture of Jesus restoring our souls as the Good Shepherd in Psalm 23. David says, "He restores my soul" (Ps. 23:3a). Isn't it interesting how life can wear us out with busyness and tasks to complete, family needs and obligations, work responsibilities and a host of other things? Our Good Shepherd knows this and brings us to a place of rest, rejuvenation, and restoration of the deepest part of our lives. It's important that we follow His lead on this and meet with Him. It's important that we accept His invitation to come to Him for rest (Matthew 11) and to accept his invitation to go with Him and rest in a quiet place (Mark 6). It almost goes without saying, but our culture is counterproductive to rest. For the sake of our souls and the sake of our relationship with Him, Jesus teaches us and leads us differently. Let us be wise and listen to Him!

In the wisdom of the Chapman’s six-year-old great grandson, maybe we just need a nap this week!

Blessings and Rest on the journey this week,

Pastor Andy

Questions for Reflection:
What are your personal signs that you need rest and refreshment?
What challenges impede your ability to rest and be refreshed?
What is Jesus saying to you personally about rest and refreshment specifically this week?

Suggested Resources about the Spiritual Practices:
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton 
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney

Events Calendar

Worldview Class from last Wednesday, 10/23
Last week's Worldview class on Sexual ethics & Sexuality had some very sensitive content and discussion. We don't feel comfortable posting it online. It's such an important topic in our current culture though. Andy wants to pass along some helpful videos on the topic. He showed portions of some of these on Wednesday night.

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