Abide: The Restful Life
Finding Sabbath and Solitude in a Busy World
Ever Been in a Hurry?
Early one cold Sunday morning, I quietly got dressed in the dark so my husband, Lee, and our three children could keep sleeping. I had to leave early to preach at an 8 AM service, while Lee, pastoring a country church, could leave later with the kids.
Rushing out the door, I slipped into my car and drove to church. When I stepped into the bright sanctuary, I realized something was wrong. My black dress pants—side zipper and all—were on backward! To make matters worse, I had mismatched socks—one navy, one black. In my rush, even my clothes didn’t know if I was coming or going!
Ever been there?
Sunday can sometimes feel like just another busy day on the calendar. For many, it’s not a Sabbath but a source of stress—what some call the “Sunday Scaries.”
The Sunday Scaries: When Sabbath Feels Like a Struggle
The “Sunday Scaries” describe the anxiety of an unfinished weekend and the looming pressure of Monday. Research even shows Sunday is the unhappiest day of the week because people feel regret over wasted time and dread for the workweek ahead.
But what if Sundays could be different? What if our lives made room for rest, rejoicing, and recreation instead of just rushing from one thing to the next?
Jesus’ Rhythm of Rest
Throughout our Abide series, we’ve explored what it means to pattern our lives after Jesus. He tells us:
“Apart from me, you can do nothing.” — John 15:5
When we abide in Christ, we live fruitful lives. Abiding starts with belonging—receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior by faith. It continues through living like Jesus—loving, serving, and walking in His ways. And it is strengthened through spiritual practices like worship, prayer, and fasting.
Today, we’re focusing on the restful life of Jesus. Doesn’t that sound good?
Sabbath: A Gift, Not a Burden
From the beginning, God built rest into the rhythm of creation:
“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
God didn’t rest because He was tired. He rested to set an example for us. In Exodus 31:12-17, God commands His people to observe the Sabbath, not as a legalistic burden but as a sign of trust—a reminder that He is our provider and sustainer.
In the ancient world, the number seven symbolized completion and holiness. The Sabbath day was set apart for worship and rest. Even the Sabbatical year provided a reset—giving the land, debts, and even servants a chance to rest. This rhythm of rest teaches us to rely on God, not just our own effort.
Jesus Practiced Sabbath
Jesus, though constantly surrounded by people in need, made time for rest and solitude.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” — Mark 1:35
Even though people were waiting on Him for healing and teaching, Jesus withdrew to be with the Father. If He needed solitude, how much more do we?
Why We Struggle with Rest
We live in an age of constant busyness. Emails, notifications, and to-do lists never stop. We feel pressured to be productive, to accomplish more, to prove our worth through work.
But exhaustion leads to impatience, burnout, and disconnection—from God, from others, even from ourselves.
When my kids were little, my oldest would wake up shouting, “It’s sunny time!” every morning. It was adorable—until his baby brother was born. After countless sleepless nights, I dreaded those early wake-up calls. I thought I wasn’t a morning person.
Then, after years of sleep deprivation, I realized: I wasn’t grumpy because I disliked mornings—I was grumpy because I was exhausted. Chronic fatigue makes us impatient, short-tempered, and spiritually dry.
The Invitation: Rest, Rejoice, Be Re-Created
God commands Sabbath because we need rest. Sabbath is not just about physical rest—it’s about:
✅ Rejoicing in God’s goodness
✅ Resting in His provision
✅ Being re-created into His image
If we neglect rest, we enslave ourselves to a pace of life we were never meant to live.
How Can You Embrace Rest?
- Have You Accepted Jesus’ Gift of Salvation?
We don’t have to strive to earn God’s love. Jesus has already done the work. Will you receive His rest? - Are You Setting Boundaries for Sabbath?
Can you carve out one day a week for true rest, worship, and joy? - How Can You Build Solitude into Your Routine?
Jesus regularly withdrew to be alone with the Father. What’s stopping you from doing the same?
A Church That Abides
As a church, we celebrate our first anniversary—a year of miracles and hard work. But are we resting and rejoicing together? If serving in ministry has become a burden, it might be time to step back and recharge in God’s presence.
We cannot build a fruitful church by striving alone. God grows His kingdom, not us.
When we embrace Sabbath, solitude, and silence, we hear His voice more clearly. We are renewed, filled with joy, and strengthened to serve in love.
Will You Accept God’s Gift of Rest?
Sabbath is an act of rebellion against a world that values exhaustion over peace. Will you rebel against the culture of busyness and choose God’s way instead?
Come to the altar. Lay down the burden of striving. Let go of control, materialism, and the need for constant productivity.
God did not create you to be a human “doing” but a human being. He wants to be with you.
Will you say yes to His invitation to rest?
