The Sabbath was made to benefit man, and not man to benefit the Sabbath.
God created the Sabbath for our benefit and to prevent burnout. My Sabbath happens to be the point of contention because the events of the past weeks have made my weekends to be more tiring than refreshing. There are always people to meet and talk, counsel or entertain. Increasingly, each weekends have been a blur of busy activities filled with disappointment as I work with others around me. In spite of the situation, I often need to handle myself maturedly and prevent myself from snapping or just giving up. This takes a very heavy toll on me and on Monday's I end up crawling to work, looking terrible and too feeble to do much.
Every day of the week, it's either work at office or do work in church. Honestly, the work at office is less draining as it doesn't involve the act of imparting into lives and without the emotional and spiritual aspects.
In one of the weekly e-newsletter from Ps rick Warren, he states that the Sabbath is the antidote to burnout and the stress-filled world we live in as pastors and leaders and quoted this verse. It ministered to me when I told myself that man wasn't created for the Sabbath but to have a day which the Lord presented as a gift to man.
In the midst of my demoralised, tired condition on Mondays, I can't help but recognise that my Monday's have been designated as the Sabbath of my life. For the past Monday's, I've received adequate protection from the Lord from major work issues and seek solace through putting on my headphones and soaking in the worship songs being played. For this really simple restful moment, I'm blessed that the Lord is the Lord of my Sabbatha as He provides a Sabbath for me to rest, even though it is at work.
M.
"In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat for he grants sleep to those he loves." (Psalms 127:2)