We can get so wrapped up in thinking there’s a “right” way to do Sabbath. Kathi Lipp reminds us how we miss the point: Jesus loves us through the gift of Sabbath!
Elisa
Rethinking Sabbath: From Rules to Rest
By Kathi Lipp
When I started sharing about how I was practicing Sabbath, I got a lot of questions from my friends. What has amazed me is how many people wanted to ardently argue about how I was doing my day of rest wrong.
Some common arguments include:
Sabbath can only be from Friday to Saturday.
Sabbath can only be on Sunday.
You can't drive a car on Sabbath.
You can't go to the movies on Sabbath.
We can argue about almost anything, can't we?
What worries me is that many people, especially women, feel stuck when it comes to Sabbath. They think, "If I can't do it right, why do it at all?"
Friend, I want you to know: Jesus understands.
When the Pharisees were tattling on the disciples (and trust me, that’s what they were doing,) for picking heads of grain on the Sabbath, Jesus responded with an Old Testament story about “breaking the rules” to eat bread that was consecrated, and then said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." (Mark 2:25-38)
"The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."
Has there ever been a more freeing part of Scripture?
Jesus isn't looking for us to do Sabbath "right." He gives us the gift of Sabbath because he loves and cares for us, not to test us.
So how do we approach Sabbath as a gift rather than a burden that it can so often be made into?
Here are a few “beginner” suggestions:
1. Treat Sabbath like a mini-holiday. We spend a month before Christmas planning food, shopping for treats, coordinating with friends and family, arranging time off work, and strategizing to make the celebration special. Put 1% of that same energy into planning for each Saturday night until Sunday evening, every week (or for whichever day you choose for your Sabbath).
Cook ahead so you can rest on Sunday
Work ahead (cleaning, outdoor work) so Saturday night and Sunday can be dedicated to fun, friends, and family
Plan something special: maybe a puzzle, a movie, or just a much-needed nap
2. Plan all week for your Sabbath; the planning makes it all the more special.
Here is a little glimpse into my routine to plan for my day of rest, which I choose to do on Sunday:
Monday: Meal plan
Tuesday: Make shopping list
Wednesday: Shop
Thursday: Prep
Friday: Cook (and every week on my menu is a batch of soup because it tastes better on Sunday if you cook it on Friday…)
Sunday: Rest
This rhythm and routine allow you to truly rest, connect with loved ones, and thank God for his provision on your Sabbath.
3. Start Your Sabbath Simply
If all that cooking feels overwhelming, consider this alternative: Next time you're at the grocery store, pick up two containers of soup, a bagged salad, a loaf of bread, and a box of cookies for your Sabbath meal. It's pre-planned, requires no decisions, and feels special because earlier in the week, you decided to take care of your future self. Instead of working hard to ensure everyone else has a special Sabbath, you've included yourself too.
Much of our Sabbath practice hinges on the idea that God loves us so much that he wants us to have a day of rest. Believe in that deep love and live accordingly.
Planning in advance can be that very first step. And I’ve found that “Sabbath Soup” is tasty and fills my soul. What’s your “recipe” for Sabbath?
Kathi Lipp lives in the mountains of Northern California with her 11 pound dog Moose, 7 chickens (all named after cheeses), one rooster and her husband, Roger. When she is not cleaning out chicken coops she is speaking at retreats, conferences and women's events across the US and can be heard on her podcast, Clutter Free Academy. Her most recent book is Sabbath Soup. Kathi is a Publisher's Weekly best-selling author with books like The Husband Project, Clutter Free and Clutter Free Home and The Accidental Homesteader. Find out more about Kathi at kathilipp.com