AWAKEN. SABBATH MONTH

Looking at all the brokenness and darkness in our world, it would be easy to assume that life has been marred like this from the beginning. While there are genuine experiences of love and beauty and wonder, there is something about these gifts that can feel more like the exception than the rule. We hear about things like original sin, and we start to believe that the oldest and truest story about us is a narrative rooted in pain, heartache and evil. As it began, so shall it be. We work and toil to make something of ourselves only to be swallowed up by the powers we’ve sought to keep at bay. But is that really our story?

​

The Scriptures say no. Not at all. In fact, it tells us that brokenness is the oldest and truest story of creation and humanity. The scriptures tell us that it’s not original sin that comes first, it’s original goodness. God, in His perfect goodness, called everything into being and named it all good. Then, as part of this creation rhythm, God rested from His work and appointed a day of blessing for all people in which we can cease from our work and participate with God in His perfect rest.

​

Yes, sin and darkness did enter our world with great devastation, but before all that there was God and His goodness. This is why we need Sabbath. Sabbath is God’s way of reminding us that there is a truer and more powerful story than the one the world is telling us. Sabbath, as word and practice, is like an ancient voice inviting us to live in the light of how God intended things to be and to be part of His redemption story as all things are reconciled to God in Christ. As it began, so shall it be.

​

Our prayer over this month is that we would embrace Sabbath together. That we, by going back to where Sabbath first began, would Awaken to Goodness and live into Fullness of Life as God intended for us.