Sabbath Rest

by Macy Johnson

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.”

(Exodus 20:8 NIV)

 

Sunday morning is my favorite time of the week. I wake early to read the Bible and talk with God before getting ready to attend worship.

 

If I arrive in the choir loft thirty minutes before the organist, I can review the choral selection for the anthem/offertory and play through the Prelude and Postlude on the piano sans audience. My hands are usually cold when I first sit at the grand piano’s keyboard. Sometimes I play simple scales and arpeggios to rejuvenate my stiffened fingers, but often stumble too much to pursue it for very long.

 

This is my only job, my calling. My employer is the church and I strive to be a diligent employee. Every time I create music in the sanctuary, I am reminded that my only true audience is God.

 

My official time of Sabbath rest starts when I crank up my SUV in the church parking lot after waving good-bye to fellow worshippers. I listen to the Spa station on Sirius-XM and enjoy being filled with the Holy Spirit on the way home. After a light lunch I relish a brief, peaceful nap.

 

Sabbath is a gift of protection from our heavenly Father to keep us from wearing ourselves out. We need rest and a reminder of who is our Lord! It is crafted in our spiritual DNA to worship Him on the Sabbath. He rested on the seventh day after creation and we are commanded to follow His lead.

 

It isn’t easy to set aside one day of the week, to make it holy. But, I believe it is vital for my spiritual and physical well-being. It is one of God’s Ten Commandments for a reason.

 

I will make a special effort to celebrate the Sabbath. I hope you will, too!