Finally, we see within this seventh day of rest a mimicking within creation, we see a rhythm. Rhythm is our third element of rest according to the biblical worldview. Every seventh day to stop, delight, set-apart from the other days. God built rhythm into creation, including the last day of rest.

I appreciate this longer quote from Wayne Muller in his book Sabbath. "In the relentless busyness of modern life, we have lost the rhythm between work and rest. All life requires a
rhythm of rest. There is a rhythm in our waking activity and the body's need for sleep. There is a rhythm in the way day dissolves into night, and night into morning. There is a rhythm as the active growth of spring and summer is quieted by the necessary dormancy of fall and winter. There is a tidal rhythm, a deep, eternal conversation between the land and the great sea. In our bodies, the heart perceptibly rests after each life-giving beat; the lungs rest between the exhale and the inhale. We have lost this essential rhythm. Our culture invariably supposes that action and accomplishment are better than rest, that doing something--anything--is better than doing nothing. Because of our desire to succeed, to meet these ever-growing expectations, we do not rest. Because we do not rest, we lose our way. We miss the compass points that would show us where to go, we bypass the nourishment that would give us help. We miss the quiet that would give us wisdom. We miss the joy and love born of effortless delight. Poisoned by this hypnotic belief that good things come only through unceasing determination and tireless effort, we can never truly rest. And for want of rest, our lives are in danger."

Folks, rest, Sabbath, isn’t about rules, sure it is one of the Ten Commandments, but that is because the value that God has for it, not only at creation, but throughout all of life. Sabbath rest is about an invitation and an invitation, in God’s economy is always about maturity and growth. If you desire to grow and mature in your walk with God, you will accept his invitation to the rhythm of rest.

Seeking the rhythm of rest allows us to trust in the goodness of our Creator-King. Trust that he is on the throne and the world will not fall off its axis. Yes, that may sound a bit embellished, but tell me why you can’t rest? (Pause with that question for a bit).
Because I know I can’t rest for the agreements I have made throughout life that I’m trying to break. “If not me, then who? If not now, then when? How much is enough? Besides the devil never takes a day off.” Granted, the devil did lose in the end.

Yes, we need to talk about Sabbath as a rhythm, but ultimately I want you to break it down even more. I believe that God was getting our attention on our intention of rest. Yes, a day, but it is more about an attitude of rest within the mind, heart, and actions.

When restlessness begins to arise within us or around us, how do we “rest”? How do we stop, delight, set aside time, to trust in God’s goodness as Creator-King?

Mark Buchanan in his book, Rest of God says, “God gave us the gift of Sabbath- not just as a day, but as an orientation, a way of seeing and knowing. Sabbath keeping is a form of mending.”

Rest is a gift; it is an invitation. We see it in Jesus’ life as well. I always loved the adage that Jesus lived at a 3 MPH pace, because he had to walk everywhere. But routinely we see him get away, to rest, stop and delight, setting aside time with his Creator-King. Which then should lead us to what does Jesus say about rest?

Matthew 11:28-30- 28 “Come to me, all
you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

This speaks directly into our restlessness, however you name it, mind, heart, relationships. Do you see the invitation? Jesus is saying, “come and rest with me.” Have a rhythm of rest with me, giving me the load you are carrying and letting me walk with you to show you a better way.

What rhythm do you need to have with your time to be with God? Can you carve more than you expect on a specific day, each week? Even being honest with God of why that is so hard.