Days off are a great thing aren’t they? They give you a chance to catch up on things you missed out on; and/or an opportunity to recover from the drain of living life. Yet, we take that for granted. We whine, “there isn’t enough time.” Perhaps you are right.

There is never enough time. But one thing is for certain– a lot of forgot what it means to take a day off and take a Sabbath (myself included).

Moreover, I gave them my Sabbaths, as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them. – Ezekiel 20:12

Let me define the word “Sabbath” for you because I know the word is as ancient and religious as your grandmother and the meaning of the word has lost its meaning and effect on us.

A “Sabbath,” as understood here in this passage and all other passages in the Bible, was created so that we would take a day from toiling toward our own interests and our own ends and to dedicate it for worship.

Worship, is not simply religious activity or ritual, although it could be, moreover, “worship” is an act of positive self-sacrifice.

That is to say that, on a “Sabbath” day we worship God by serving others interests and relaxing by looking at the work of God in our lives and gratefully appreciating the promise God embodies in our lives every single day.

In effect, a “Sabbath” is a day whenever you get a chance to breathe and take a step back from your life, remember to thank God for the opportunity you have for being able to wind down and reflect and to give back.

God gives us a Sabbath as a “sign” for us to remember that it was and is always God who helps us walk our paths and makes our lives full. It is a “sign” for us to think about what God’s plans are for us and why and how He intends those plans to be fulfilled in our lives.

It is a gift for us in our toil to take a break and just look toward our maker and say, “thank you.” God tells Ezekiel, the prophet, that the Israelites are coming to inquire from God, but they forget the greatest sign and the most important day of the week when God gives them an opportunity to inquire, think and ponder.

Here in the 21st century, we are no different. We set out to inquire of God about our lives and we virtually ignore the “Sabbath” He gives us as a sign between Him and us to prove He is faithful and that He always delivers on His promises.

Take a Sabbath and worship God, you will indefinitely understand how God shapes your life. It is a gift of understanding and peace of mind. Let’s celebrate that together.