March 3, 2006

I had the opportunity to talk this week with several pastoral colleagues in town about Sabbath rest. I’ve tried to reconstruct the conversation so that I could remember how the topic was introduced, but I can’t. Needless to say, it ended up that most of our monthly ministerial meeting was devoted to this impromptu topic.

I was impressed with several things. First, there was clear consensus that rest is a vital part of quality life. There was some envy that Seventh-day Adventists have been one of the few denominations to still protect a whole day for spiritual and physical renewal.

Secondly, I was pleased to hear a revival towards taking worship days seriously. There was an acknowledgment that society has brought destructive conformity to our congregations. One pastor remembered an Adventist high school classmate who had sacrificed sports for Sabbath. This remained a powerful witness for this man. I was questioned about the social pressures that our young people must resist. Several affirmed the necessity to place God before any other gods.

Thirdly, I was amazed to hear a request that, as president, I work to coordinated a series of discussions with our association that would address how to confront the social pressures that threaten our individual identities. What was most fun for me is that this recommendation came from my Buddhist colleague.

During this conversation I had the opportunity to candidly talk about some of the challenges I’ve observed with Sabbath within my denomination. Challenges like a tendency to remember the Sabbath but to forget what rest is all about. The risk we have of letting our focus be on protecting traditions rather than on a pursuit of God’s holiness.

I was reminded that my passions need to be about my God and Savior, not about being right. I was reminded how easy it is to walk away from the joy and blessing of an intimate experience with God into dry conformity. Conforming pressures can come from the inside too. The biblical model is transform – not conform. I was reminded that the way Sabbath is experienced makes a big difference in how it is communicated.

This conversation has sparked dialogue in my own home. Kelly and I want to improve and heighten our Sabbath experience. We’re going to create a written picture of our ideal Sabbath experience and what we can do to best promote this experience. We want to be more intentional about claiming our Sabbath Blessing. We’ll let you know how this improves the quality of Sabbath for us. You might benefit from a similar renewal in your home too.

“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.” Hebrews 4:9-11

Be at peace,
Pastor Steve