This post is last of a series on Sabbath rest. Today we’ll cover some final thoughts and action steps for practicing the Sabbath, including a FREE downloadable guide. Here are the previous posts:
Part I–How to take a Sabbath rest. Personal Sabbath testimony, Sabbath symbolism and meaning.
Part II–Key Bible verses and takeaways for understanding the Sabbath
Part III–Commentaries and resources for understanding the Sabbath
Part IV–Practicing the Sabbath in your home–Free guide and worksheet
Practicing the Sabbath isn’t Legalistic
Today we are wrapping up the Reshaping Your Rest series with a FREE downloadable worksheet and a few final thoughts. The worksheet will walk you through assessing how you currently spend your “day of rest,” auditing your Sabbath activities and an action plan for creating a Sabbath that is both holy to the Lord and refreshing to you.
Best of all, our God cares more about our heart posture than our actions.
It’s easy to let our Sabbath rest become something legalistic. To lay out a list of things we are prohibited from doing. That’s missing the point. The Sabbath is a gift from God, Mark 2:27. (More verses on the Sabbath here.) It’s not meant to be drudgery. It’s not meant to enslave us. (Great commentaries and study resources here.)
The Sabbath is a day of rest and freedom. A day to look back and remember what God has done, enjoy the present and the place God has brought us to, and look forward to a future when things will be perfect and we will truly rest in paradise. The Sabbath doesn’t require us to be stagnant or mindless. (More on symbolism of the Sabbath in Part I and Part II.)
Your Sabbath May Look Different Than Mine.
The way you observe the Sabbath should be obtainable in your own house. In order to keep the day holy (literally: set apart), you need to be able to execute it and enjoy it. Having a Sabbath plan will do you little use if it’s an unobtainable ideal. That will eventually stir up guilt and exhaustion as you strive for rest. As you consider Sabbath rest for your own household keep it simple. (Here are some of my takeaways for inspiration.)
Your day of rest may look different than mine. And that’s okay.
Make a Plan for Practicing the Sabbath in Your Home
This is broken down in greater detail in the worksheet, but here are the steps our house took to Reshape Our Rest.
Prayerfully consider the Sabbath. Ask God to open our hearts to the truth of what He desires our rest to look like. Thank God for inviting us into the Sabbath. Repent of disobedience.
Choose a day that will be our Day of Rest.
Discuss what a “regular” work day looks like. Since the Sabbath should be “set apart” our rest day needs to look different than a work day.
Discuss what feels laborious or oppressive, like work to each of us.
Examine how we currently spend time on the Sabbath.
Filter activities through what Scripture says about the Sabbath.
Brainstorm what activities are acceptable and enjoyable for us on the Sabbath. Again, drawing from Scripture.
Create an action plan of what needs to be done before the Sabbath in order for us to enjoy and observe the Sabbath. This takes a little intentionality and forethought.
Our Sabbath Plan
If this still feels overwhelming I’ll give you an example. We decided to be intentional about the Sabbath over the past year. Previously our day of rest had no plan. Things felt unanchored. Sometimes stressful. Sometimes lonely, if we were busy with our own tasks and “unable” to enjoy our family together. Once in a while, resentful if I perceived that I wasn’t getting the rest I so desperately craved after a long week.
Communication has been key to reshaping our rest. Understanding what is burning us out, what brings refreshment to our family, and how we each effectively commune with God guided our plan.
Practicing the Sabbath looks a little different each week, but we prepare, communicate and examine our hearts before we step into our day of rest. Here are things we do or prioritize on our Sabbath:
Church
Pursue fellowship/edifying conservation/community outside the walls of the church.
Time doing something fun as a family.
For me, working on a house projects. It’s a time when I feel close to God and inspired by Him. **However, if projects become something I’m stressed about or burdened by, I do NOT work on them during the Sabbath. Instead I offer my concerns and stress over getting things done as a sacrifice to God. I choose to trust Him that the work will get done–and enjoy my day.
For Derek, working in the yard or taking care of a few things around the house is refreshing. He is joyful as he provides for our family in ways he cannot during the regular work week.
For Derek, intentional one-on-one time with Gideon is important during his Sabbath. For me, it’s important to step away from Gideon for a bit and have a little time to do something quietly alone.
Now It’s Your Turn
You can get the worksheet for intentionally reshaping your Sabbath over in the resource library. It’s totally FREE. It will walk you through the process we’ve used to set apart our Sabbath as a holy day to God.
For more intentional living, Bible geekery and daily motivation to walk in faith, be sure to join the community on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to get to know you. Or, sign up for my emails (below), and you’ll get new posts straight to your inbox. Thanks for being here, friends.
Reshaping Your Rest:
Part I–How to take a Sabbath rest. Personal Sabbath testimony, Sabbath symbolism and meaning.
Part II–Key Bible verses and takeaways for understanding the Sabbath
Part III–Commentaries and resources for understanding the Sabbath
Part IV–Practicing the Sabbath in your home–Free guide and worksheet
Today I’m happy to bring you part III of the Reshaping Your Rest series. For once, I’ll be piping down to let others do the talking. I’m sharing a few commentaries and resources that have helped me further understand what setting apart a day of rest really means.
All posts in the series are right here:
Part I–How to take a Sabbath rest. Personal Sabbath testimony, Sabbath symbolism and meaning.
Part II–Key Bible verses and takeaways for understanding the Sabbath
Part III–Commentaries and resources for understanding the Sabbath
Part IV–Practicing the Sabbath in your home–Free guide and worksheet
An Overview of the Sabbath
Do you know the Bible Project? If you don’t, get to know them. I’m a HUGE fan of their work. They produce great, short videos that cover all kinds of Biblical topics. (I’m especially fond of their videos that give a “nutshell” perspective on each book of the Bible. Those are great for anyone, but especially families and young students of the Word.)
Anyway, the Bible Project has a great video on the Sabbath and its origins.
If a few things went too fast, or you’d rather read than watch, see this quick article. It links up all the verse references used in the video.
Is the Sabbath Still Relevant Today?
Is keeping the Sabbath still something relevant to the modern church? This is an excellent question. And while we’re talking about the Bible Project–here is an excellent article that covers a wide range of questions about keeping the Sabbath. (Excerpt below.)
Jesus reminded the people of God’s actual intent for the Sabbath: unity with God, creation, and each other that was first found in Eden on page one of the Bible. Jesus taught that the Sabbath was about mercy and was purposeful. It was supposed to point to him, the one promised through all of Israel’s prophets, the one who would restore the rhythm of creation.
When followers of Jesus observe the Sabbath, we live as if this restoration has already taken place. We take a break from the broken rhythms of hustle and hardship to set aside a time of submission to his rule and enjoyment of his presence and to extend these things to the world around us. When we observe the Sabbath well, we become little resting places of God’s presence.
…As followers of Jesus, we aren’t required to follow the laws given to Israel by God exactly. These were given at a specific time to a specific people group for a specific purpose. Yet the wisdom of those laws is enduring, and the law of the Sabbath is pure gold. It is not a commandment we are bound to; it’s a promise we’re invited to.
Sometimes looking into the meanings of specific words used in the Bible can help glean a deeper understanding of what the text is meant to communicate. The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew, the New Testament in Greek. Here are a few Hebrew and Greek words I found helpful for understanding the Sabbath as I studied.
How to read interlinear references:
If you’ve never Bible geeked out over an interlinear reference, this could be your first time. At the top is the word we are studying. Next is a section of definitions and uses. At the bottom is concordance results. This is a list of every verse in the Bible that uses the word we are looking at.
**Always remember to read in context and apply the definition as meant by the author. The Word is powerful. We should read to find truth–not arguments that support our own opinions and ideas.**
Shabath: First seen in Genesis 2. This is the word used to describe how God rested on the seventh day.
Nuwach: To rest or settle down. This word has the connotation of comfort, being placed in order, knowing your place and being able to rest securely. (Missy Takano also covers nuwach in her article.)
Shabbath: The word used for the proclaimed and prescribed Sabbath.
Sabbaton: The Greek word used for the proclaimed and prescribed Sabbath in the New Testament.
Katapausis: A calming of the winds, a resting place. This word is used primarily in Hebrews 4–describing the rest of God.
Be diligent to enter that rest: The rest is there, but God does not force it upon us. We must enter that rest. Clearly, the rest is entered by faith; but it takes diligent faith. This shows us that faith is not passive; it takes diligence to trust in, rely on, and cling to Jesus and His work for us.
This directs us to contrive family affairs, so that they may hinder us as little as possible in the work of the sabbath. Works of necessity are to be done on that day; but it is desirable to have as little as may be to do, that we may apply ourselves the more closely to prepare for the life that is to come.
Get Ready to Reshape Your Rest by Keeping the Sabbath
Next week we’ll wrap up our Sabbath series. I’ve got a quick study guide and worksheet for you that will help you reshape your own rest–and more fully align it with the rest God wants to give us.
Until then, I’d love to get to know you! Join me on Instagram or Facebook to connect with me and a growing community committed to striving to live intentionally, viewing the world through a Christ-centered lens. I post *almost* daily encouragement and devotionals–and you can get a behind the scenes look at what I do when I’m not writing in my stories. You can also connect by subscribing to my emails. You’ll be notified every time a new post comes out and have access to the resource library!
As always, thanks for being here. If this series is teaching you or touching your heart, I’d love to hear from you–and I’d love if you shared with friends to help grow this sweet, encouraging corner of the Internet.
Part I–How to take a Sabbath rest. Personal Sabbath testimony, Sabbath symbolism and meaning.
Part II–Key Bible verses and takeaways for understanding the Sabbath
Part III–Commentaries and resources for understanding the Sabbath
Part IV–Practicing the Sabbath in your home–Free guide and worksheet
Welcome back to the Reshaping Your Rest series. Today we will dive into 10 key Bible verses for understanding the Sabbath.
Here are all the posts in this series:
Part I–How to take a Sabbath rest. Personal Sabbath testimony, Sabbath symbolism and meaning.
Part II–Key Bible verses and takeaways for understanding the Sabbath
Part III–Commentaries and resources for understanding the Sabbath
Part IV–Practicing the Sabbath in your home–Free guide and worksheet
The Right Mindset About The Sabbath
The thought I keep coming back to is that God tells us it is a sacrifice to deny ourselves the work we think needs to get done. We created in God’s image. God Himself is a creator and worker. It’s natural for us to work, to have goals, to want to achieve.
The trouble is that those things can become idols. Something we value higher than God’s command to “honor the Sabbath.” Something we think is more important than slowing down, putting aside and obeying.
At first, the idea of a day of rest viewed as a “sacrifice” seems counterintuitive. But it doesn’t take too much thought to connect the two. Especially in our material, secular-success driven culture.
Key Bible Verses for Understanding the Sabbath.
Here are 10 verses/passages that have helped me understand Sabbath rest, as seen from a Biblical perspective.
It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. Ex 31:17
Key takeaways: God rested. We are to emulate God in all we do. God was refreshed after He rested. How much more will we be refreshed after true rest? Also, just because “He rested…” doesn’t mean God stopped working, caring, or being relational. Likewise, our Sabbath rest should be a rest from work–but not a complete halt to life, relationships or doing Kingdom work.
You shall work six days, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during plowing time and harvest you shall rest. Ex 34:21
Key takeaways: Being in a “busy” season or needing to get things done is not an excuse for neglecting the Sabbath.
This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselvesand not do any work—whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you— because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins. It is a day of sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance. Leviticus 16:29-31
Key takeaways: Laying work aside is to sacrifice and deny ourselves. God has already done (and will do) the important work of atonement. (Note: in context this verse pertains to an annual celebration of atonement–not just a traditional weekly Sabbath.)
…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 ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. Deut 5:14-15
Key takeaways: Sabbath rest means refraining from traditional work and reflecting where we’ve come with God’s aid. We should also respect others’ right to observe Sabbath rest.
Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy. Yet the people of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not follow my decrees but rejected my laws—by which the person who obeys them will live—and they utterly desecrated my Sabbaths. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and destroy them in the wilderness. Ezk 20:12-13
Key takeaways: The Sabbath is a gift and sign from God for us. Observing the Sabbath illustrates our trust in God. God is passionate about the Sabbath. He is hurt when it is not observed and honored.
How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. Matt 12:12
Key takeaways: Observing Sabbath rest is not an excuse to not do good, be kind, do Godly work, or be helpful to others. (See Matthew 12:9-14 for more context.)
Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27
Key takeaways: The Sabbath is a gift for us. Something God made for us.
It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. Luke 23:54-24:1
Key takeaways: This is a great passage for understanding proper reverence for the Sabbath. It takes intentionality and self-discipline to observe the Sabbath. If the work of these women can be put on hold to honor the Sabbath, our work can also wait.
On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. Acts 16:13-15
Key takeaways: Fellowship, teaching, fulfilling the great commission, being outdoors, prayer and building relationships are all welcome on the Sabbath.
Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. Acts 18:4
Key takeaways: Do not use the Sabbath as an excuse to lay around idly or to fill your mind with idle thoughts. New Testament examples of activity on the Sabbath include using spiritual gifts, fellowship, building relationship, teaching, sharing our witness and reflecting with others.
Start Reshaping Your Rest With These Verses and Passages
These Bible verses for understanding the Sabbath are a great place to start reshaping your own rest. Read them, pray over them. Dig deeper by seeing what else Scripture has to say about the Sabbath. (To get you started I ran a quick search for every reference to “Sabbath” on BlueLetterBible.org.)
As you study, remember to think critically about what Scripture is saying. What does the text say? Who does it affect? What actions are taking place? What are the consequences or God’s opinion on those actions? Specifically, what does each verse teach you about who God is and what His character is like?
And, don’t forget to read verses in context to get an accurate understanding of the true meaning of the text.
Coming Up in the Reshaping Your Rest Series
We’ve looked at some background and key Bible verses for understanding the Sabbath. Next week, I’ll be sharing resources, commentaries, and a little Hebrew that will help you understand the rest God wants to give us even more deeply. Then, we’ll finish up with a worksheet that will help you intentionally reshape how you accept this gift from God.
In the meantime, I’d love to get to know you better, by connecting with you on Instagram and Facebook. There, you’ll find a community striving to live intentionally, while viewing life through a Christ’s Kingdom lens. You’ll also get daily inspiration and motivation for living intentionally with a Kingdom mindset (and fun anecdotes and mishaps from my home.) If this series is hitting your heart, I’d love if you shared. If you’d like to get all the latest posts straight to your inbox, just sign up below!
Part I–How to take a Sabbath rest. Personal Sabbath testimony, Sabbath symbolism and meaning.
Part II–Key Bible verses and takeaways for understanding the Sabbath
Part III–Commentaries and resources for understanding the Sabbath
Part IV–Practicing the Sabbath in your home–Free guide and worksheet
This is the first installment of a series on the Sabbath. Here are all the posts in the series:
Part I–How to take a Sabbath rest. Personal Sabbath testimony, Sabbath symbolism and meaning.
Part II–Key Bible verses and takeaways for understanding the Sabbath
Part III–Commentaries and resources for understanding the Sabbath
Part IV–Practicing the Sabbath in your home–Free guide and worksheet
I just got back from vacation. It was nice, relaxing. All the things you want a little time away to be. But there was something deeper going on in me. I’ve been thinking about rest. Real rest. Something we can all relate to (and many of us struggle with.)
Weeks ago, toward the beginning of the 90 Day Bible Reading Challenge, I started turning over the idea of Sabbath rest. Every time I read anything about the Sabbath my heart skipped a beat, the verse became ingrained in my mind. I thought about it through the day. I brought it up with my husband in the evening. This felt like a call to deepen my understanding and change my patterns.
Vacation forced me to set aside work. And allowed me to set aside lots of things that feel like work. This seemed like the ideal time to share what I’ve been learning at start fresh, when it comes to true Sabbath rest.
The Challenge is nearly over. And I’ve been surprised how often Sabbath rest comes up, and how serious God takes it.
I want to be more intentional about observing the Sabbath. As a family, we’ve started to intentionally act on what the Bible tells us about how to take a Sabbath Rest–but I still have a ways to go. Luckily, God sees the heart. He knows I’m earnestly trying to do better, to enter into the rest He wants me to have.
A New Understanding of Sabbath Rest
Until recently I have never attempted to fully understand the Sabbath. However, I’ve spent a lot of my extra time cross referencing and burrowing into what the Bible says about Sabbath rest. I’ve read verses, revisited chapters, looked at commentaries, and prayed.
I’ve learned a lot. This is a practice introduced at the beginning of the Bible and continues through the New Testament. When Israel falls short or turns her back on God–and God becomes angry–He almost always cites neglect of the Sabbath as one of their infractions.
Interesting right?
Obviously, this is close to His heart. Yet, I think it’s one of the most overlooked commandments in our culture today. We are taught not to have other gods, murder, worship idols, steal, commit adultery, covet, or bear false witness. We know we are supposed to honor our parents and never use the Lord’s name in vain. But when it comes to the Sabbath, we can be surprisingly blasé.
Honoring the Sabbath almost seems like a forgotten commandment.
As I’ve studied, I’ve fallen in love with God’s design for Sabbath rest. It’s beautifully simple, yet so profound it sets our God apart from all others. A sacred day of rest was unique to Israel, a gift from her God. Other Ancient Near Eastern religions and gods did no such thing.
The Sabbath is beautifully symbolic. It symbolizes God’s good-will and care for mankind. By observing it, we show our trust in His care. By setting aside work, we demonstrate an understanding that we are not saved by works–God grace is enough and Christ accomplished the work on the cross.
I could chat for days about how beautiful the Sabbath is. But I’ll let you do some critical thinking of your own.
Some of My Sabbath Takeaways
The idea of “self care” is so hot right now. It seems like everywhere I look I see suggestions and social media posts with ideas for self care. Don’t get me wrong. Self care is fun–and important. But don’t confuse it with the Sabbath. Sabbath rest is deeper and sweeter. Sabbath rest looks outward–turning our eyes toward God, others in need, and expanding the kingdom. In no way is taking Sabbath rest a selfish pursuit. I’m excited to share more with you next week.
First, here are my own bullet points summarizing my new understanding of the Sabbath.
The Sabbath is important and dear to God’s heart, therefore it should be important and dear to our hearts as well.
A day of rest refreshed God. How much more will it refresh me?
The Sabbath is a type of sacrifice. We are to intentionally choose to refrain from work and choose rest. This shows devotion to God and trust that He will provide time and means for our work to be completed–despite sacrificing time away from work to Him.
The Sabbath is metaphorical. Refraining from work and choosing rest is an outward symbol that our works do not earn us favor with God. Christ did the only work that really mattered, and He finished it on the cross.
Sabbath rest is not an excuse to be lazy and binge watch TV. It is not an excuse to be unkind or avoid helping others. The Sabbath is a time to turn our minds to God-honoring thoughts and our hands to God-honoring activities. This means, if I’d be uncomfortable committing an act to the Lord, or partaking in an activity with Jesus in the room–it shouldn’t be done on the Sabbath.
Fellowship, teaching, reflection, enjoying nature, enjoying God’s provision, sharing your experiences with God with others, cultivating relationships…(the list goes on) are all welcome during a day of Sabbath rest.
Observing Sabbath (and gleaning the benefits God wants us to have from it) takes intentionality and practice. Create a plan for how you will observe the Sabbath and get your family on board.
Start Reshaping Your Sabbath Today
Next week we’ll be exploring verses that explain the Sabbath, but I encourage you to start reshaping your take on the Sabbath today. Don’t get overwhelmed. Start with reflection. Here are a couple ideas.
Are you exhausted? Does the word “refreshed” make your soul leap? Do you feel weary?
How do you currently observe the Sabbath? Is it just about church, or is there something deeper happening?
Pray that God would open your eyes and heart to what He wants the Sabbath to look like in your life and home. Ask God to give you a teachable heart and a discerning mind as you reexamine rest. Start a conversation in your home about Sabbath rest.
Coming Up: More on How to Take a Sabbath Rest
Next week I’ll be sharing 10 verses/passages that have reshaped the way I view Sabbath rest. Here are all the posts in the series:
Part I–How to take a Sabbath rest. Personal Sabbath testimony, Sabbath symbolism and meaning.
Part II–Key Bible verses and takeaways for understanding the Sabbath
Part III–Commentaries and resources for understanding the Sabbath
Part IV–Practicing the Sabbath in your home–Free guide and worksheet
In the meantime, I hope you’ll start thinking about how you can take a Sabbath rest. I’d love to have you share this if it touched your heart today–and I’d love to get to know you personally by connecting on Instagram and Facebook. There you’ll find daily encouragement and a community of others striving to live life with intentionality, viewing the world through a Christ-centered lens.
I wish I was good with plants. But that’s just not the case.
I come from long lines of folks who are plant savvy. My parents have a massive garden that feeds the family all year. Their yard, patio and deck are adorned with flowers and containers all summer. My sister’s got it. All my grandparents were had it too.
I try. But half the time my vegetables turn out undersized and my succulents shrivel up on the shelf.
At Acorn House we’ve been blessed (or cursed) with a unique challenge–a blank slate for landscaping. No bushes, no beds, no plants of any kind (except a massive amount of weeds.)
I’ve spent the summer working on landscaping and building perennial beds around the property. We bought some plants. Others were split from larger plants and shared with me. Others have been transplanted from friends’ homes.
God Is Teaching Me To Wait Expectantly
While I’ve tackled this project, I’ve tuned my ear to God and what He has to teach me in the process.
All season, He has been using plants to weave anecdotes and examples of His Truth into my heart.
A theme God has been stirring in my heart throughout the summer is expectantly waiting. Expectantly investing in this season, for a bigger payout in future years.
Every plant that has gone in around the house is small. Young azaleas and hostas in front. Seedling hollyhocks, lilacs and fir trees at the perimeter. Transplanted or split daisies, day lilies, lily of the valley, and herbs in the back.
It’s a lot of plants. My thought is, with all of this…something is bound to make it.
Jokes aside, we’ve got vision for these plants. Right now they are immature, not much to look at. However, I water them and attempt to care for them this season because I’m looking forward to growth in the years to come. I busy myself adding more perennials to the beds because when I close my eyes, I imagine a home surrounded by mature, lush landscape.
Here’s one thing God has been reminding me while I work in the yard: All plants start with a seed. No matter how big their potential, they all start with a seed, that becomes a fragile new plant, and eventually turns into something bigger and more beautiful every season.
Am I Waiting Expectantly in All Aspects of My Life?
Even with all this work and waiting, I’m content and full of expectation for the years to come. Not impatient that seedlings and transplants aren’t living up to their full potential in the first season.
God seems to bring this to mind every time I’m in the yard. So I’ve started to ponder: DoI extend the same grace and expectation in other areas of my life and faith walk?
So often when I work up the courage to speak up in truth, share the Gospel, or plant a seed of Truth, I either want to see immediate results or I give up and don’t expect anything to happen.
Anyone else? Anyone?
It all goes back to waiting expectantly. I’m no gardener. All I can do is plant, care and expectantly wait for growth, maturity, beauty and change in the seasons to come. With my yard, I am waiting expectantly. I fully anticipate bigger plants next year. More flowers. Something more substantial.
When I plant seeds of Truth by sharing my experiences or even the Gospel, I’m guilty of impatience, and worse, not waiting with expectation. I assume the blame. The seed was a dud, I didn’t have the answers or the words or the right moment to share. Instead of expecting something to happen in seasons to come, I’ve already decided there’s nothing to expect.
Ouch.
This summer, as I’ve worked with my plants, God has reminded me (convicted my heart) to wait with expectation. Stop giving up hope when results aren’t quick. Stop being impatient for growth. Wait expectantly for things to grow in their own time, in their own season. Confess and repent for losing hope for seeds planted, not trusting God to do His work.
Wait expectantly. God is ultimately the One who will spur something to grow and mature. (1 Corinthians 3:6-9)
Wait expectantly. To stop expecting a result means we’ve stopped believing a result will come, or is even possible. God assures us nothing is impossible for Him. The Bible is full of examples of how seeds planted grow and mature in due season. (Hebrews 11:1-3; Matthew 19:26)
Let’s intentionally wait more expectantly. It’s not our responsibility to make seeds of truth grow. We can only have faith that God is working. Let’s intentionally live with greater expectation and anticipation of what God is doing and will do.
Whatever you are waiting on. Whatever seeds you think may not have taken or will never mature–take heart. Allow expectation to ease the heartache that waiting can bring. Continue to invest and plant now, with expectation for the seasons yet to come.
For more intentionally living, while seeing life through a Christ-centered lens join me on Instagram and Facebook. I offer encouragement and resources all week long to keep you inspired in your daily life, excited about God’s Word and motivated to walk in faith.
Today I’m sharing an everyday devotional about trusting God in the mess of our lives. I’ve learned over and over that things usually look worse before they look better–and trusting God in the mess is safe. Read along as I tell you a story from everyday life and weave a lesson about God’s grace and truth into it.
Last week I spent an afternoon sanding down the hardwood floors in our soon-to-be master bedroom. I almost didn’t want to start. Most of the floor was in pretty good shape. There were some places where leaky windows had left water damage, or years of foot traffic had worn away the finish completely, leaving bare, exposed wood.
It was a shame sand the nice places. The only thing that propelled me into action was having faith that, in the end, the finished product would look better. What looked “kind of okay” would be breathtaking.
This brings me around to a truth that I’ve learned after working on lots of old houses:
Things Nearly Always Look Worse Before They Look Better.
Pinterest is flooded with beautiful Before & After photos. I love looking at B&A pictures. They’re addictive to me, but often, these images leave out an important look into the middle.
There’s a difficult season in the middle of any project–where things look worse than when you started. Even if you know what you are doing is necessary and will be great when its done, it’s inevitable that things will look like a hotter mess as you start to improve than when you started.
I’ve had “middle moments” when I started to wonder if things were really that bad to begin with. Yes, kitchen cabinets that are intact would be nice. But when prepping dinner means using a dismantled dishwasher as your only counter space, and cleanup means hauling all the dirty dishes upstairs to a decrepit 1950’s apartment kitchen–it’s easy to start thinking things would be better if we’d never started this project.
It’s not just home improvement projects that this holds true for. Think about reorganizing, unpacking, or sorting excess. The mess always gets bigger before it comes into a new, better state.
Israel’s Middle Moment | Trusting God in the Mess
Back to sanding the floor.
As I let the sander do its worst to a mostly-okay floor, my mind drifted off to Pentateuch chapters, still fresh in my mind from the 90 Day Bible Reading Challenge.
How many times did the Israelites rail against Moses, asking him why he’d led them out of Egypt to “die in the wilderness”? Why he’d brought them away from Egypt, where:
“We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic, but now our appetite is gone.”
Yes, they were slaves. Sure, they were belittled, treated less-than, and strictly limited on how they could worship the God they knew to be true. Of course, it wasn’t ideal. But in the heat of the desert, in the midst of that “middle moment” where they’d been didn’t look so bad.
As a modern reader, it’s easy for me to judge Israel. I mentally scold them for not trusting God in the mess. I easily shame them for having weak faith and faltering. Isn’t it obvious? God has something much bigger and better planned. Why don’t they just hush up and eat the manna? Cool your jets, God is doing something huge and wonderful for you–just give Him a hot second.
It’s easy to take that stance when we know the ending. And not just the ending of that journey, when they really do reach the land flowing with milk and honey. We understand that all the law and the prophets and the wandering lead to reconciliation to God for all people, through the sacrifice of Jesus–His perfect, holy son.
We’re blessed to have a more complete picture. Israel, however, was living the “middle moment.”
Fear in the Middle Moments
As I sanded the floor down I felt great empathy for these people. For them, Egypt was the only home they’d ever known. Slavery was the only lifestyle they’d ever lived. It might have even seemed “basically okay.” Walking away took guts.
Like taking a sander to a floor that was basically okay.
What if I take the finish off and the new stain looks crummy? How will I fix it if I just make it worse?
What if we left Egypt–and all we’ll ever know now is dry, dusty wilderness and wandering?
What if we threw away an unpleasant, but stable existence only to watch our children die out here?
How will we ever live with ourselves if there is no promised land and this whole journey has been wasted?
The floor looked more ragged and dingy while I sanded. The once clean room was covered in dust.
Things nearly always look worse before they look better.
Intentionally Take Heart in Your Middle Moments
Friends, let’s be encouraged by the generations before us. Maybe you are about to jump into something that will shake up your world. You know it needs to happen, but you’re nervous. Plaster this truth on the walls of your heart: Things may look worse before they look better. But God is the author of beauty and redeems even the biggest messes.
Maybe you are in a “middle moment.” Some corner of your life is in total disarray. You want to put things back, but it’s too late. You’ve walked out of Egypt. You’ve turned the sander on the floor. Keep moving forward. God will lead you out. Intentionally reminder yourself: Things look worse before they look better. God is bringing something good from this mess. (Get more encouragement from the Moving Forward in Hard Times series.)
Maybe you are lucky enough to have walked through the “middle moment” and come to the promised land. Hold on to the clarity you have. Do not praise your own strength or effort. Remember, what God brought you through. Continue to seek the ways He worked through that season, continue to praise Him. Write it out. Remember what He has done. Recall it often. Do not make the same mistake as the Israelites.
They stopped talking about it. They stopped teaching their children about that hard season in the wilderness. Eventually, it was a vague, distant tale. And again, a hard season crept upon them, another trial. Another “middle moment.”
No matter where you are, or what you are facing, remember that things may look worse before they look better. But, when we walk with God, we can trust that we are being led toward a finished product, a destination far better than where we started.
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If you are reading through the Bible, plan to, or have read it–you know that reading Old Testament law can be tricky (or nap inducing). Today I’m excited to share a few ways you can refresh your mindset toward the law. (You can get a couple reading plans here, or read about my love for chronological reading and the 90 day reading challenge.)
Reading Old Testament law is hard. It can be hard to comprehend and appreciate. Even harder to understand how it ties into the New Testament, modern church and our faith walk as “post-resurrection” believers.
I get it. I’ve been there–trying to keep my eyes open while reading Old Testament law, or simply letting my eyes move over chapters describing the sacrifices expected at feasts. It can be really, really hard.
Along the way I learned a few things that changed my mindset about these sections of Scripture. These things changed me. Not only could I read them and stay awake, but I came to like them. If you aren’t as big of a geek as me, like may be going a bit far. But I believe we can all come to a place of understanding and appreciation.
Refreshing Your Mindset For the Law + Free Study Guide!
Today I’m sharing seven points that shifted my mind and altered my attitude toward the “drier” sections of the Old Testament. I’ve also turned these points into a FREE printable study guide. You can get it over in the resource library or at the bottom of this post.
A Fresh Take on Reading Old Testament Law
God Is Speaking
Years ago someone encouraged me while I was struggling through the laws and details of the Pentateuch. She said, “I think those books are really cool. I mean, most of the just a record of God Himself speaking.”
I’d never thought of that before. These sections of text are dense with God’s direct communication to His people. It’s reading God’s actual words, to actual people!
God is Equipping a New Nation
After leaving Egypt, Israel was to become a new nation of its own. This was a huge undertaking, but God did not expect them to take it on alone. He didn’t expect them to figure it out on their own or make it up as they went along or copy other nations. Instead, He painstakingly told them everything they needed to know about living as a nation of their own, God’s chosen people.
The Law Assures Us That God Will Provide a Framework to Live Holy Lives in Any Culture
The laws in the Bible reflect in large measure the way ancient societies were structured. God’s revelation speaks into that context. The laws in the Bible do not seek to restructure society, but to affect how people live and think in the societal structure they have...The laws of the Bible seek to transform how people live in whatever sort of society they find themselves. No societal structure is flawless; it is always subject to the nature of the people who are part of it…
Consequently, when we look at the laws of the Bible, we are not looking for the picture of a perfect society nor should we think that God is endorsing such a society. We will find that the shape of Israelite society is often very much like those of her neighbors, but we should be attentive to the ways that the Bible goes further to protect the rights and dignity of those who might be vulnerable. In this way the Bible can pioneer new moral ground even while being situated in the familiar social structures of the ancient world…
While Biblical laws describe a society very much rooted in the ancient world, God calls his people to higher standards. The areas of commonality do not suggest that the Bible has borrowed from the legal literature of the ancient world; only that God addressed their society as it was, but sought to show them a pathway to holy living within that framework.
“Ancient Laws, Scripture and Modern Issues” Zondervan’s Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
How comforting that God will provide a way for us to live holy lives within the framework of any culture or societal structure!
The Law Reveals God’s Heart
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of specifics laid out in the Law. But the law reveals God’s unchanging heart. Here are a few things the law reveals about God’s character:
While other Near Eastern cultures believed that gods relied on humans to serve them, it’s clear the God of Israel does not need the provision of humans. His desire is a relationship with man, not servants.
God does not expect perfection. Rather, His desire is our heart, trust and devotion. The law draws a clear line between those with appropriate and inappropriate heart posture. Our heart, not our actions or wealth have always been more important to God.
The law reveals God’s desire to show the world what it looks like to be in relationship with Him.
Jesus Valued the Law
References to the law are found throughout Scripture. This alone makes a general understanding of Biblical law relevant to us. Even more, Jesus valued the law and understood it. In Matthew 5:17-18 he says,
Do not think that I’ve come to abolish the Law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
A friend who is well versed in OT law recently told me that understanding the different categories of law helped her appreciate the laws overall. There are three types of laws laid out in Scripture: Ceremonial, Civil and Moral Laws.
Ceremonial laws aren’t observed anymore because the temple is no longer standing and many were prophetic and fulfilled in Jesus’ coming and atonement for our sins.
Civil laws were specific to life in Israel and in that time and culture.
Moral laws can still be applied today and are seen in teachings/letters sent to the early Church in the New Testament.
Atonement is Messy and Personal
Old Testament law clearly shows us that the atonement we desperately need to bridge the gap between us and God is messy. Atonement is personal, messy and serious. The law points to our need for a more lasting solution. The gap between us and God is wide and we are need a redeemer to help us: Jesus.
Reading Old Testament Law
I hope one or two of these will help refresh your mindset about reading Old Testament Law. If you are joining in on the 90 Day Bible Reading Challenge, you may have already passed through the thickest part of books of the law–but there is still plenty left. Remember, the law is quoted over and over throughout Scripture. Having a basic understanding (original readers would have had a deep understanding) will help you better understand the rest of the Bible.
Grab the FREE Old Testament Law Study Guide: 7 ways to refresh your mindset about the law
Enjoy the 90 Day Plan!
Remember to head to the Resource Library to grab your study guide!
Remember to join me for more Bible geekery, everyday devotions and intentional living life through a Christ’s-Kingdom lens on Facebook or Instagram. I’d love to have you be part of our community there!
Today I’m sharing three more lessons I’ve learned about difficult times and moving forward through them. Take heart, you can get through this.
Seasons Change. Be Rational. Hard Seasons Don’t Last Forever
When faced with the challenge of getting through hard times, it’s easy to let anxiety and a “woe-is-me” attitude to spin completely out of control into something irrational. I’ll admit that, for me, irrationality and ranting feel really good. It takes a lot of strength to remain rational and speak truth over the lies (more on overcoming lies here and here.) that encroach on us during a trial. Sometimes it feels really good to just give in and let your anxiety fly.
Maybe it’s just me.
At any rate, getting through hard times requires rationality. To move forward during a difficult season you must keep your head on. Remember the verse cited in Part I?
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
The Greek words translated “alert” and “sober mind” tell us to be watchful, calm, collected, with a quiet spirit. Additionally, John 8:44 tells us that Satan is a liar and the father of lies. To resist him is to resist the lies that will vie for your attention and belief during a trial. You can only do this when you are “alert” and of “sober mind.”
Dispel lies. Remind yourself of what’s true. This will end. Hard times, difficult seasons–they don’t last forever. Seasons don’t last forever. Every day survived is another day closer to the end of this chapter. You are surviving, you are moving forward, you are not alone.
Write truths down when they come to you. Find them in the Bible. Tell a friend you are struggling and have them help speak truth into your situation.
Set Realistic Goals While Getting Through Hard Times
In Part II of this series I presented three of the six lessons I’ve learned about moving forward through difficult times. One of the lessons is that progress looks different during a trial. If you haven’t read that, go here first.
In my own life I’ve found that there are stages to every difficult season. First there’s a period of triage. I take on a “stop the bleeding” mentality to simply get through each day. Meeting all basic needs is a win during this time.
After that, things stabilize as it becomes clear this tough time is going to cling for a while. At this point continuing to triage only seems to make the days last longer. On top of that, I become frustrated because I can’t go back to my “normal” activities, but I don’t want to sink deeper into a rut.
That’s where defining some realistic goals comes in. Simple, realistic goals will help you continue to move forward as you are getting through hard times.
During Derek’s most recent deployment, while I was facing unrelenting morning sickness and restrictions from the pandemic, he encouraged me to set some goals to steer my focus away from the hardship and onto something else. Putting my mind to something else (while extending grace and being realistic) allowed me to move forward and eased a bit of the pain of trial. It felt like walking through sludge, but eventually I saw that I was becoming less stuck and taking strides forward.
I felt empowered as I saw progress being made. Hard seasons give us very little control, but setting small goals can give a sense of authority back to us. Here are a few examples of my realistic goals from the last month of Derek’s deployment. (Most are house related, remember…we were social distancing.) They aren’t glamorous, they aren’t earth-shattering, but they helped me see that I was moving–even during a hard season. (More on godly goal setting here.)
Clean the windows
Go for four walks each week
Clean cabinet doors
Remove wall paper from the second floor
Review Matthew chapter 5 (something we had memorized, but I let lapse)
Paint something with Gideon
Look For Lessons–Don’t Waste This Season
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Have faith. God will walk you through this. And in my experience, He has never wasted a trial.
I believe God’s heart hurts when we are hurting. But let’s not forget that He is our Redeemer. The God that is able to redeem us from sin and death can redeem even our darkest hardships. He is our Creator. Surely, the One who created everything from nothing can create beauty from trial.
He can. He will. I’ve seen it happen.
Over and over God has been faithful to transform my ugliest trials and most difficult seasons in life into something lovely. When we let Him lead the way through the storm He’ll bring us into the calm with a wild, exciting testimony to share. He will teach us things that will equip us for next time, empower others, or just inspire us to rave about His Might.
When getting through hard times, listen closely for God’s voice. It’s there. Tune your ear to Him–instead of your fear or lies or anger or anxiety or distress. Those voices are loud–but God’s is calm and reassuring. He isn’t going to leave you, He will restore you and redeem you.
Remember God is the Good Guy When Getting Through Hard Times
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Friends, whatever you are facing–or whatever you will face–know that God is the hero, not the villain. He is for you. He has already gone to extraordinary lengths to offer you Salvation and Redemption. God has been faithful and will continue to be faithful. He is unchanging. Take heart. (Unsure about God’s kindness? I used to be too. Read this post.)
What has helped you get through a hard season? I’d love to connect with you on Instagram or Facebook. Come be part of a community seeking to live life with intentionality and through a Christ-centered lens. If this strikes a chord with your heart, please remember to share. Thanks for being here.
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