Scripture

Isaiah 58:13-14a NLT

“Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the LORD’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly. Then the LORD will be your delight.”

Consider

The fourth law of God’s Ten Commandments directed his people to set aside the seventh day of every week for remembrance and worship of God. Rooted in the Hebrew word shabbat, meaning “to cease or desist,” Sabbath offered a regular break from ordinary human pursuits in order to rest and realign with God’s greater purpose.

Over time rabbinic traditions buried the Sabbath’s true meaning under burdensome rules and restrictions. Jesus openly challenged tradition by performing merciful works on the Sabbath—healing a suffering man and feeding his disciples. Aware that people get caught up in their busy lives, wearing themselves out and forgetting what truly matters to God, Jesus reacquainted them with God’s compassionate intention for Sabbath: to provide precious time for rest, refreshment, and remembrance.

Like people, our human relationships can grow tired and depleted when all we do is work them to give us what we want. Like people, our relationships need a regular Sabbath rest, a time to refresh and remember what’s important.

Consider carving an hour from your busy week to rest and refresh an important relationship in your life. For this one hour lay aside your ambitions for the relationship, your expectations and personal agenda. Soften your heart before the Lord and ask for a fresh perspective, free from recent irritations or lingering grudges. Reflect on questions like these:

• How has this relationship nurtured and sustained me?
• In what ways has this relationship brought me joy?
• What does God desire for this relationship?
• Do I need to confess anything and ask for forgiveness?

Now consider your partner in this relationship. Look past what annoys you and ask for spiritual eyesight to see and appreciate this person. Let Paul’s words to the Philippians guide your reflection: “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (4:8 NLT). In your anger or frustration, what goodness and fine qualities have you been overlooking?

Jesus declared Himself to be Lord over the Sabbath. Let Jesus be Lord over this Sabbath hour as well. Let Him refresh your heart and counsel you in the holy task of caring for your relationship.

Pray

Lord Jesus, I ask you to be Lord of my relationships. Help me to recognize how selfish pursuits have burdened my relationships with wearisome expectations and grudges. Soften the hard, resistant corners of my heart and free me to love and care for the people You have put into my life for your good purpose.

Reflect

Exodus 20:8; Matthew 11:28; Mark 2:27-28

Ponder

Which relationship(s) in my life could benefit from a Sabbath hour?