Still Thought 3

Today is Sunday.
I didn't realize this, but since the beginning of the world the first ultimate act of stillness occurred in Genesis 2:1 "on the 7th day God finished creation and He ceased all His work and declared the Sabbath holy." I am beginning to realize that this has profound implications for my own spiritual walk. What this means to me is that while we can worship God anytime throughout the week, Sunday is a special day that I should set aside for this purpose.

In his book, the Meaning of Prayer, Harry Fosdick writes, "remember the Sabbath to keep it holy is God's command (not suggestion), but the experience of our race is clear that to keep one day of our week uniquely sacred (Sunday), will make all the days of the week more sacred." In short, remembering the Sabbath is the "tail that wags the dog". Fosdick, wrote this in 1910 and I think today we have more of a struggle with keeping Sunday special for the Lord, then any other time in history. On one of our RV trips we had the pleasure of spending Saturday night in a Walmart parking lot (I don't recommend this unless you have to). The next morning by 8 am the lot was already full of cars with people shopping and going about their daily business. When I was a kid, stores were still closed on Sunday and even if we were tempted to do our shopping for the week, we couldn't. The main events for me were going to church (worship), sitting down with family to a roast beef dinner for a couple of hours, reading or taking a walk and being with family and friends the the rest of day. What a novel idea-- Sunday can actually be a day of rest (from our many other weekly activities) and glorify God at the same time. From a worldly standpoint, all those years could have been a lot more productive--shopping, taking work home from the office, cutting the grass, cleaning the house, but for whom? I wonder if the Lord gave us this commandment because He already knew we are capable of being busy, connected, networked 24/7/365?

When our boys were growing up and applying for summer jobs at the local grocery store I always encouraged them to tell the manager that they observe the Sabbath. "But dad, they won't hire us!" they would say. "Don't worry God will provide" I would say, and every time the manager would call the next week and say "you've got the job". I wonder if he also knew importance of having this core value.

Of course it would be very easy to get caught up in the debate of what is allowed on Sunday, just as Jesus was questioned by the pharisees when they saw His disciples picking and eating grain for dinner in Mathew 12. Jesus' response focused on doing good, acts of kindness above the law. In this same way, God looks at our intention or heart in keeping the Sabbath holy, which is nicely summarized in my Biblical concordance -- a day set aside to honour God through rest and worship.

Even now, as an adult it's easy to get sidetracked and as the father in our home, I try to lead by example and provide some guidance to my own family. We try to make Sunday holy by doing the following: worship together at our church, spend a few moments before worship to listen to Christian music or read a devotion, put off any form of business or commercial activity until Monday if possible, spend time enjoying God's creation with a walk, enjoy a family dinner together, get to know friends and have them over in the evening for dessert and coffee and most of all, try not to camp in the Walmart parking lot on Saturday night!
Join me in making this Sunday a special day for the Lord..."and He will be exaulted."

PS. After being involved with hospitals for 25 years, I also realize there are some professions that can't shut down on Sundays. If you find yourself in this situation, make another day of the week your Sabbath...."and He will be exaulted."