Which of the Ten Commandments do you think is the most violated among Christians? Have you figured it out yet?
It appears to be the most innocuous of the list. In Exodus the commandment reads, “Remember the Sabbath.” In Deuteronomy the commandment reads, “Observe the Sabbath.” We are to do something with the Sabbath, we are not sure what to do.
When was the last time you did nothing? I’m talking Hobby Lobby and Chick-fil-a closed on Sunday nothing. Let’s start there. Remembering and observing the Sabbath carry at the root of meaning the idea of doing nothing. You take on no project. You finish no task. You put down the phone. You rest.
The rest and refreshment of the Sabbath is a gift of God. He rested after creation. His rest gives us a pattern for our well-balanced spiritual life. Sabbath is the foundation of our spiritual formation in Christ. If we are not taking time to be with Christ, how will we know Him and serve Him?
You get the idea. So that is a thumbnail of a sermon I preached last week. Trust me, Sunday is not a Sabbath for preachers. I was up at four. Preached twice. Served communion in two services. Prepared my devotional thoughts for the VBS volunteers and then I went home. Once home, I prepared to play refrigerator musical chairs. There were a total of three refrigerators that were moved on Sunday afternoon. I also did a quick removal and replacement of two standing cabinets in the laundry room. Of course, all the stuff in the refrigerators had to be relocated.
I thought it ironic that I was exhausted on a day I had preached about Sabbath.
In thumbing through the manual for the new refrigerator, I discovered that my new refrigerator has a Sabbath setting for the ice maker. Since part of keeping the Sabbath is refraining from any kind of work, this refrigerator joins along in Orthodox Jewish households in refraining from ice making and alarm sounding.
If an icemaker can be programed for a Sabbath rest, do you suppose that you and I are wise enough to take a step back from the frenetic pace of our world for Sabbath?
Jesus said, “Come unto me all you who are weary (overworked at the end of your rope and never catching up people) and I will give you rest.” If my refrigerator can observe Sabbath, I can too.
What about you?
Lunar Irene (Butler) Smith, age 74 of Quitman, was called home on Thursday, June 2, 2024. Irene was born to Mr. and Mrs. Clayton and Lorene (Sowers) Butler on August 2, 1949 in Jonesboro, Louisiana. She enjoyed many things in life such as traveling, being outdoors and fishing. Irene loved to look her best. She loved going on adventures shopping, thrifting and antiquing. Some of her favorite finds were paparazzi jewelry and costume jewelry that caught her eye. She loved collecting pretty things to add to her collection. Irene is a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend that will be missed dearly.
Wanda Rae (Brown) Poda Loe, age 89 of Buchanan Dam, TX ascended to her Heavenly home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, May 30, 2024. Wanda was born unto the union of Mr. and Mrs. Walter and Maggie (Mercer) Brown on January 27, 1935 in Jonesboro, LA. She is a graduate of Jonesboro-Hodge High School. She married Marvin Poda on February 12, 1953 and were blessed with 47 years of marriage together and welcomed 3 children into their hearts along the way. Later in life, she married Lavelle Loe on June 11, 2001 and they were married for a loving 14 years and he blessed her with 4 stepchildren. Wanda loved her church and called Sweetwater Baptist her church family. She adored cooking for her family as her family was her whole heart. Wanda’s grandchildren and great grandchildren filled her heart with so much joy and she loved them dearly, they were the sparkle in her eye. She will be cherished and missed.