Weaver shared the following story of “a migrant South African tribe that regularly went on long marches. Day after day they would tramp the roads. But then, all of a sudden, they would stop walking and make camp for a couple of days. When asked why they stopped, the tribe explained that they needed the time of rest so that their souls could catch up with them.”
She went on to say, “Isn’t that a great concept? Letting your soul catch up. When I read this little story, it resonated deep within me. I can get to running so fast that I leave everything behind. Not just God. Not just people. I can lose my own soul as well.”
Personally, I could not even be certain that my own soul is in the same hemisphere with my body most of the time. I run and go and work and serve until some days it is overwhelming. Then I get up the next day and do it all again. For several years at my house, Sunday afternoon has been the day that I catch up on bill paying for our home and my husband’s office, as well as ironing and doing laundry. Well, this too shall pass!!
Joanna Weaver reminded me in her book that God instituted a Sabbath of rest for the Israelites and just because I am a Gentile does not mean that it does not apply to me!! The Hebrew word for Sabbath means “a ceasing of labor”. Well, hellooooo!! Cease your labor! Rest your weary bones! Spend time with your family. Visit with your Lord. Read the Bible. Take a walk. Rest!!!
So, my early New Year’s resolution is to observe the Sabbath on Sunday. Will I always be successful?? Probably not–but that doesn’t mean I can’t give it my best shot. I tried it last Sunday, and do you know what??? The world didn’t end because I didn’t iron or pay bills. I simply got those tasks accomplished on Saturday so that I COULD observe the Sabbath on Sunday.
Heavens above, I don’t want my soul to be lost somewhere over in Africa, having no idea where the rest of me is located!! I’ve been to Africa and I don’t want to have to go back to find my soul!! And yes, this mind and body could use a day of rest. If God decided it was a good thing, then who am I to try to prove that it isn’t?
Savor Isaiah 58:13 and 14 for a moment: “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD’S holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
God was serious about this when He gave us the Ten Commandments, He was serious about it when He spoke to Israel through the prophet Isaiah, and He is still serious about it today. Let your soul catch up with you, dear one. You will find that your Heavenly Father will be waiting there, delighted to meet with you in your rest.
