5 Ideas for Sabbath
Use these for your next day off.
Greetings Prosperous Souls,
Ah, the Sabbath. It’s one of my favorite topics. Back in my thirties, I worked 12 to 16-hour days, serving as the CFO of Bethel Church and running my own accounting firm.
On paper, I had it all—successful career, a wife, two kids, and a busy life. But I was exhausted, laboring seven days a week. I had lots of cash, but zero balance in my emotional life. I needed help.
Why We Need the Sabbath
God didn’t give us the Sabbath as a suggestion. It’s a command. Even truly successful people know that you can’t just grind non-stop. You need to reset, gain perspective, and avoid burnout. Scripture says:
You shall work six days, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during plowing time and harvest you shall rest. — Exodus 34:21 (NASB)
I understand this verse comes from the Old Testament. Some Christians regard this portion of Scripture with ambivalence. But studying all of the Bible deepens our knowledge of how God thinks.
The Old Testament teaches us these truths about Sabbath:
God created a tempo (in terms of days and years) for rest and called it holy.
Rest reaches everywhere in a person’s life, even to animals, employees, and organizations.
Rest is important, no matter how busy you feel.
Sometimes it requires more faith to do nothing than to do something.
Your Homework
Give yourself at least twenty four hours of rest this week. During your waking hours on this day, only do things that feel peaceful. Of course, if you have responsibilities, take care of them. But do so from a place of rest.
To help you succeed in this assignment, I’ve included a list of 5 Ideas for Sabbath. Use these for your next day off, or create some ideas of your own:
I understand that single parents can’t afford to take time off. If that’s you, try to find at least two hours of leisure. The key is to value yourself enough to give your body and soul a break.
Want to go deeper into the Sabbath?
No Live Meeting This Afternoon
Dawna and I are celebrating our 43rd anniversary, so there’s no meeting today. Instead, download my Sabbath handout and get started on your path to divine rest.
God bless your Prosperous Soul,
Stephen K. De Silva
About: Stephen K. De Silva is an author, speaker, and financial mentor. From 1995 until 2017, he served as the CFO of Bethel Church, and a member of the senior leadership team. Stephen’s blend of experience, training, and gifting make him a pioneer in the subject of money. You can reach Stephen at hello@prosperoussoul.com
Great article. Rest is so important! I love the full story about how you were challenged in a dream to observe the sabbath.