Each Saturday during Lent, we will take some time as a church family to practice a different spiritual discipline or spiritual practice together. Today, we are practicing Sabbath with Senior Pastor Matt Erickson.
What is Sabbath?
One of the most unique instructions in the Ten Commandments calls for God’s people to set apart a day called the Sabbath. The word Sabbath literally means “to stop” and the day reflected that (Exodus 20:8-11). Sabbath was an identifier of their relationship with God and a call to abstain from work in order to enter into worship and rest with God. To rescue people from legalism, Jesus later reminded people that “the sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath” (Mark 2:27), also declaring that He was “Lord of the sabbath” (2:28). One Christian writer describes Sabbath as a day for “praying and playing,” which can be a helpful guide for us.
How to practice Sabbath?
There are many ideas for practicing Sabbath, but here are a few suggestions that may help us move toward:
- Sabbath as a day — Set aside a day each week where you will “pray and play.” Intentionally move away from tasks and to-do lists so that you can simply be with God. Read Scripture, journal, go for a walk, drink a cup of tea or coffee (by yourself or with a friend), take a nap. Do things that help you engage with God and with rest.
- Sabbath in each day — The concept of Sabbath can also help us during each day. Consider setting aside some time each day during Lent to simply remind yourself that you are not defined by what you accomplish but by what God says about you. Perhaps read a Scripture like John 3:16 or 1 John 4:9-10, that helps you remember who you are in God.
- Sabbath as letting go of worry — We can be so occupied with worry about what we need to do or what will come our way. Sabbath is in many ways an opportunity to let go of our worries and grab a hold of God in trust. When you worry, consider praying a simple prayer like, “I trust you, God,” as you entrust that worry to the Lord.
- Sabbath with kids — When our kids were young it was hard to figure out Sabbath. That’s when we started hiking as part of our family Sabbath day. Getting our kids outside was refreshing for all of us, tiring for their little legs (which helped with naps), and gifted us with a different pattern for our days. Try something like that to help you enter into Sabbath as a family when you have young children.
Led by Pastor Matt Erickson
Caring for Your Plant
AN INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your new plant! Just as the practice of Sabbath revolves around nourishing our soul and providing it with the best care possible, this week our practice revolves around learning the best care for our plant. Put your new green friend in the brightest spot you can find—
direct sunlight is great, a dark corner will make it sad. You will probably need to water your plant about once a week. Find the balance—we don’t want the soil to dry out completely, and we don’t want it to sit in water. If the top inch or so of your plant’s soil is dry, it is due for some water. Avoid chilly windowsills and drafty areas.
As we learn to view the Sabbath as a tangible practice and a time of rest, you can approach your plant care in the same manner. Through the upcoming weeks, use the time you spend nourishing this little plant life as a time of peace, reflection, and rest. As God made us with an innate connection to His creation—created from the dirt, to live in a beautiful garden, and to be stewards of creation—so these growing leaves remind us of our connection with God’s creation around us and that both it and our souls need care and tending.
Led by Juliann Roedl
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