In our fast-paced culture, many of us chase after paycheques, projects, and productivity, often at the expense of rest. But life is more than making money or getting things done. God designed a rhythm for life — work for six days, then rest on the seventh. This is more than just good advice; it’s a divine principle built into creation.
I remember my college years. I worked tirelessly to complete assignments early so another student could proofread them. I was always on the go, with no time for rest. Even weekends weren’t sacred — I saw them as extra work time. One of my friends, who worked at the college, often invited me to hang out on weekends. I’d reply, “I don’t even have time to rest.”
One day he said something that stuck with me: “Sammy, you will always have time.” At the time, I didn’t understand. Now I see what he meant — everything in life has a rhythm. Your body has a rhythm. Your heartbeat has a rhythm. Music has a rhythm. And God has a rhythm.
1. God’s Rhythm for Life: The Sabbath in Genesis
In Genesis 2:1-3, we see God’s pattern:
“On the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested… So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy.”
God didn’t rest because He was tired — He rested because His work was complete. He built this rhythm into creation for us to follow: work six days, then rest one. The Sabbath principle began here, setting the foundation for a balanced life.
2. Remembering the Sabbath: More Than a Day Off
When Israel was enslaved in Egypt, they worked endlessly with no rest. But when God freed them, He gave them the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11), including a clear instruction to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
Biblical remembrance isn’t just thinking about something — it requires action. God’s people were to treat the Sabbath differently from the other six days. It was to be set apart for rest, worship, study, and drawing closer to Him.
Rest is more than a break — it’s a spiritual weapon. How to Recognize and Resist the Devil’s Two Main Tactics
3. The Sabbath Was Made for You
By the time Jesus walked the earth, religious leaders had turned Sabbath-keeping into a list of burdensome rules. But in Mark 2:27, Jesus clarified:
“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”
God created the Sabbath for our benefit — as a gift to help us recharge, refocus, and enjoy His creation.
4. Rest as Worship and Trust
Keeping the Sabbath is more than taking a day off — it’s declaring that God is your provider. When you choose to pause your work, you’re trusting Him to take care of your needs.
If we rely on ourselves, we’ll likely work ourselves into exhaustion. But if we trust God’s timing, we’ll often see more fruit from six healthy days of work than from seven drained ones. Sabbath rest reminds us that life isn’t defined by productivity — it’s defined by God’s presence and provision.
When warning about overwork:
The rhythm of Sabbath protects us from burnout. This article from crosswalk explains why rest is vital for spiritual and physical health.
5. Practical Ways to Embrace Sabbath Rest
Rest looks different for everyone, but it should intentionally break your normal work pattern and bring renewal. Here are some ideas:
Unplug from social media, news, and email.
Spend extended time in prayer and worship.
Take a nap or go for a walk in nature.
Enjoy creative hobbies like painting, writing, or music.
Share an unhurried meal with family or friends.
In my home, Sundays are sacred. No laundry, no dishes, and a family nap from 1–3 PM after lunch. That’s our Sabbath rhythm.
6. The Risk of Ignoring Rest
Some say, “I can’t take a day off — I’ll lose clients and income.” But here’s the truth: if you don’t choose to rest, your body will force you to. Burnout, stress, and health issues are the natural results of ignoring God’s design.
Pastor and author Gordon MacDonald put it well:
“The more we want, the more revenue we must produce to get it… More work, less rest.”
The rhythm of Sabbath keeping protects you from burnout and gives space for fresh ideas and renewed energy.
Conclusion: What Will Your Sabbath Look Like?
Sabbath is not about doing nothing — it’s about doing something different. Take a day to step away from what drains you and lean into what restores you. Whether that’s reading, walking, worshiping, or spending time with loved ones, make it intentional.
This week, I challenge you to celebrate the Sabbath — not as an outdated Old Testament rule, but as a life-giving rhythm designed by God for your good.
If you want practical, faith-based steps for navigating trials, read my blog post https://samuelbernard.org/responding-to-crisis-with-faith/
Hey remember, Keep trusting, keep believing. If you’re still above ground, God’s not done with you yet!
Samuel Bernard (aka Sammy) is originally from Haiti, where
he grew up practicing voodoo with his mother and was
rejected by his father before birth. He survived the
devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti that claimed over
300,000 lives. Sammy is a graduate of Millar College of the
Bible with a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and holds a
Master of Divinity (M.Div) from the Canadian Southern
Baptist Seminary. He is the author of Warrior in Training for
men Bible study. He is married to Leah, and together they
have three beautiful children.
