Written by Abby Caymol | Aug 22, 2023

“ ‘Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am the Lord.”

Leviticus 26:2 NIV

It’s been five years since I had an extended vacation. So many things happened after the pandemic; the economy started to be established again, but slowly. Businesses opened up one by one. Airlines began to open flights for people who needed to fly to their destinations right away. Traveling has become the most immense interrupted demand globally. Why do all people feel the need for rest? Why do we need at least a little break away each week?

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.

Genesis 2:2 NIV

I am the type of person who barely gets a vacation every year. Due to lack of time (or maybe because I don’t make time), not enough savings financially, or just simply tied up for work and being a single mom, so if I get a chance to get a one-day getaway from work, everyday life, I’ll make sure I don’t miss the opportunity. Recently, I had a wonderful day trip with the women’s ministry in our Church. Before this event, I eagerly prayed to God that He would make this possible for me. God knew how I was desperate to take a break because I was so burned out from work, my body was functioning well, but my whole being was running empty. God designs our body to act the part of its very nature. We feel tired,  and that’s normal. When God created the earth and had finished the work He had done, God Himself rested on the seventh day; He blessed it and called it holy because on it He rested from all the work He has done (Genesis 2:2-3).

A shared photo from our churchmate.

The joy my heart carried when we were in the midst of God’s creation was beyond comparison! I am surrounded by all these gigantic mountains and trees standing in majestic covered with the detailed beauty of snow. The breath of cold refreshing wind unhurriedly pressed lightly upon my skin. I gasped in astonishment as I closed my eyes, “The Spirit of the LORD is hovering right at this moment.” A thought lingered deep within. The picturesque work of God encompassed me! Everything I saw and experienced was personally made by the One who brought me into being! Jesus reminded me of His radical love every day, but that day was exceptional! Not only did His love and grace barricade my heart, but I felt the Holy Spirit embraced my whole being. No one can ever replace the faithful love of God for us.

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.

Hebrews 4:9‭-‬10 NIV

Observing Sabbath is not only about putting our body at rest, but our mind, heart, and soul are also necessary to rest. Our whole being needed to be surrounded by the indwelling Spirit of God. We need to feed our souls with God’s word and character. The body and soul are excessively dried out due to the absence of Sabbath rest because we don’t keep it holy and not dedicated to the Lord.

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.”

Exodus 20:8‭, ‬10a NIV

Lovely flowers were hand-picked by our Churchmate along the way, ready to be dried up.

Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:27a NIV), not an obligation to do, but it shows God’s love and care for His people. God loves us too much. He wants us to rest with Him, pause in our busy lives, and enjoy God’s creation. In this way, we honor God by valuing ourselves and by respecting our bodies. Most important is for your heart to spend time with God reading His word, in worship, and in prayer.

Happy Sabbath! 🙂