Sabbath’s Day Rest

I am blessed and fortunate to own a lakefront house in Lake Placid, Florida. When I tell people I have a weekend home in Lake Placid, they automatically assume I mean Lake Placid, New York. But instead, our house is located in a sleepy little town just south of Sebring, Florida, that is very reminiscent of Mayberry RFD. While there are quite a few churches in town, there are just a few restaurants and bars. Many of the stores have murals painted on the side of their buildings, which has given rise to Lake Placid being nicknamed the “Town of Murals.” Whenever I walk into a business, I am immediately greeted with a polite, “Hello, ma’am. How may I help you?” Then when I leave, I’m always told, “Have a good day!” Lake Placid is a charming place with rolling, little hills (we are in Florida after all) and many beautiful lakes. My husband and I love to go there to relax and recharge our minds and bodies. Because the drive is only two and half hours from our home in South Florida, the short trip is easy for us to make.

How do you recharge your energy if you don’t have a special place to go? How do you find time to relax? When I am at home, I always seem to have a job that needs to be done or someone that needs my help. At times, I have to admit that I have even found myself doing work on Sunday. I teach at South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary and, whenever I would put my lesson plans together on Sunday, I would say to myself, “Well, I know that this is work, but at least it’s God’s work.” However, God’s Word emphatically tells us that we are to rest on the Sabbath. That means that we are not to engage in any work at all unless it is life-saving or an emergency. Because I can’t go to my lake house every Sunday to rest, I needed to learn how to rest at home on the Sabbath Day. I needed to learn how to rest wherever I am.

I am happy to say that, of course, God is right about resting on the Sabbath! Now that I have taken that day to go to a movie, read a book, read my Bible, have lunch with a friend, ride my bike, or take a long walk, I am a much happier, healthier person! I am more rested and ready for work during the week and far more prepared for whatever challenges face me on Monday. I encourage you to take the time to rest on the Sabbath. It is good for our minds and our souls, and most importantly, it is a form of worship to our Lord and Savior! Happy Sabbath Day to you, and remember your Sabbath Day can be any day you dedicate to the Lord and to rest.