Sabbath

Just over a year ago, I resolved to honor myself through, by, and for the work I do. Yes, I recognize that the work is the path to purpose, the production. However, there is no production without a producer. Therefore honoring myself with adequate rest and rejuvenation became more of a priority. I admit, however, with my imagination output and the resulting schedule, it’s been no easy task. It’s easy for me to run my body at breathtaking speeds and relentless productivity levels, simply because it will. I also know that it is not sustainable. At some point the piper must be paid.

As a child, I grew up in an ultraconservative religious household. Each week beginning on Thursday afternoons, we began preparation for the Sabbath. I recall one of my task was to use mayonnaise to clean and gloss the plant leaves. That, I did with tenderness and pride, leaving the leaves shiny and radiant. We shined the silver, did the dishes, ironed clothes, and Mom prepared the largest meal of the week all in preparation for our time of rest. By sunset Friday a calming hush had come to our humble abode. For the next 24 hours we were immersed in restfulness, reading, nature, communion, and religious services. The sabbath would be closed out with song, “day is dying in the west, heaven is touching earth with rest…” We recognized the sabbath as the seventh day of the week as noted in the Torah in the book of Exodus, verses 8-11. From a little tot on up, each week we would recite the verses beginning with “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

The ultimate reason for the sabbath was rest. No just a casual rest but a deep abiding, reconnecting rest that would bring healing from the week and prepare us to meet the week to come.”Six days, it says we have to do all of our work but the seventh day, a day of rest, belongs to the divine, to rejuvenate and recreate us as sound human beings to maintain the embodiment of that divine. Otherwise we find ourselves depleted, scattered an mind, body, and spirit, operating in a capacity far lower than our capabilities. This weakened state affects us in every aspect of our existence from our individual health to our relationships. Yet we continue to push, push, push, until we crash. We consistently circumvent our internal preservation mechanisms, crying desperately for the slow down, by drowning it out with artificial adrenaline we call caffeine. Eventually, as I stated earlier, the piper will be paid.

A few weeks ago, I picked up a book entitled Sabbath, by Wayne Muller. The understated cover of the paperback book reached out to me from the shelf. It felt soothing in my hands with it’s earthy colors woodland imagery. It’s subtitled Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight In Our Busy Lives. For me it was a much needed reminder to reincorporate the joy and balance of the Sabbath in my life. The verse admonishes us to remember the sabbath, as though it was known that we would be prone to forget it. The sabbath is for everyone. We can start by designating specific times each week for rest and reflection. This sacred time can be marked by personal rituals—like lighting a candle or spending time in nature—to signal a transition into relaxation. Disconnecting from screens and social media during these hours allows for true rejuvenation, while engaging in meaningful activities—reading, hiking, or connecting with loved ones—nurtures our spirit. Incorporating mindfulness practices can deepen our presence, and sharing this time with family or friends fosters community and connection. Reflecting through journaling can also provide clarity and purpose. By intentionally embracing these practices, or different ones that serve you, we can reclaim the essence of the Sabbath, fostering a deeper life beyond the rat race pace that goes beyond mere existence and invites of to be a pART of the remedy toward healing our rest deprived world.

Author: afroblastik

I am a creative spirit manifest in the flesh, finding my way across this terra firma and beyond. My intent is to work out my own salvation while sharing to inspire the liberation of others who also hear the call beneath the unceasing noise of our existence. View all posts by afroblastik