Sabbath (or)
Richard M. Wright
Yes – Sabbath.
Of course you/we knew where I was/we were heading these last several weeks. Now you know my agenda.
Here it is. I am convinced that Sabbath is the most important discipline for the Christian community to (re)discover and practice (anew) partly (mostly?) because it affects (almost?) every other dimension of living as the people of God.
My favorite saint Seraphim of Sarov once was asked, “What is the chief aim of the Christian life?” Seraphim replied, “To gain the Holy Spirit.” If someone were to ask me, “What is the most important thing the Christian movement can do?” my reply today would be, “To practice Sabbath.”
Consider what would happen if you began to sleep for only one hour each night. How would that affect the rest of your life? Physical health would begin to deteriorate. Ability to function mentally. Difficulty performing at work or at school. Emotional health. Severe grumpiness – relationships with others would suffer. Spiritual health. Consider the difference it makes throughout your life when you just plain get enough sleep each night.
Consider all the different aspects of being the people of God. Worship. Prayer. Community. Family. Relationships. Hospitality. Theology and teaching. Evangelism. Engaging our culture.
I submit that practicing Sabbath would be revolutionary and transformational. Individually and corporately and globally. From the center of our spiritual being to the expanding circumference of our mission. Practice Sabbath… and everything else is affected.
I invite us (as one church family and two worshiping congregations) to join and journey together to dialogue… to explore… to experiment in the weeks and months ahead. Through the what and the why and the how of Sabbath.