“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.” — Exodus 20: 8-10
Remember to Rest
Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs have become well known for resting their players sporadically throughout the regular season. Their goal is to make sure they enter the playoffs as fresh and healthy as possible every year, even if it costs them a few games during the season.
At the beginning of the 2017-18 season, the NBA implemented a rule allowing commissioner Adam Silver to fine teams who sat players for nationally-televised games in an effort to reverse this trend. The league also adjusted its schedule to give more time between games when possible.
God wants us to rest as well. In fact, He commands us to. The idea of the sabbath is setting aside a day to spend time with God. This can take many forms and is different for every person. On the sabbath, we should be worshipping and glorifying God in the things we do. In this crazy world we live in, it’s vital to take a step back sometimes and relax. When we feel refreshed, we can honor God better in the work we do the other six days of the week.
The order to rest is a sign of God’s love for us. He created us and knows better than anyone else, including ourselves, that we need breaks. We should be intentional about setting aside time to rest and be thankful to God that He gives us an opportunity to do so.
Of the Ten Commandments, observing the sabbath seems to be the one we view as optional or forget about the most. It’s a command designed to help preserve our mental, spiritual and physical health.
— Joshua Doering
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