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I’m thrilled to share this brief letter my dear fly-fishing friend Janine wrote a few months ago. Her heart resonates with mine. I hope you too will find an anchor for your soul as you read her words.

A Thought

Dear ones,

Recently I’ve felt the invitation to practice Sabbath, to set time aside to stop, rest, and allow my soul to catch up. But I confess, the drive to keep doing and taking care of all of life’s responsibilities constantly pulls at my soul. Then, of course, I feel guilty: Sabbath is a should-do. It’s a commandment I should want to follow!

In Exodus 16:29, as God invites the Israelites toward the Promised Land, He tells Moses: “They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you” (NLT, emphasis mine). I hadn’t thought of Sabbath as a gift. But God’s people had been in forced labor for 400 years, driven by hard taskmasters who would not allow them to stop. Sabbath was truly for them.

So I wonder about those voices that insist that no matter what, I must keep pressing forward: Are those the taskmasters of my own heart? What kind of freedom could I experience if I were willing to accept the gift and just stop?

Scripture

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30, MSG).

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul” (Psalm 23:2,3 NIV).

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV).