Road Sabbath

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to church.

And it’ll be about another month until I get to be home on a Friday night to go to church at Journey.

For someone who used to work in the local church that appears really odd. (It feels weird to write, somewhat confessional.) I even remember a time when we, as a staff,  pushed to define the amount of Sunday’s a leader had to be present in order to qualify to be a leader. I think we settled on 45 Sunday’s per year… I’d be disqualified by a country mile.

But, since I’m confessing things, I have to admit that it doesn’t feel weird. It certainly doesn’t feel in the least bit wrong. Between work travel (which is largely supporting and building up the local churches youth ministry) and vacations, I’ve missed 12-15 weeks of worship services this year.

Rather than feel bad about it, I just know I’m doing the best I can.

What’s the point?

There’s a difference between skipping church and skipping Sabbath. I think working at a church I got this confused… more muddy than messed up. (Proximity to “doing church” clouded that delineation.)

See, not being on staff at a church, and especially attending services on Friday night instead of Sunday morning, has re-opened an understanding of the Sabbath as rest in our house.

We often do nothing on Sunday.

We hang out in our pajamas.

We watch TV.

We take naps.

We go for a walk. Or go to the zoo. Or the beach. Or out to eat.

Sometimes we garden. More often we think about gardening but don’t get to it.

Sometimes we do a honey-do project. But usually we intend to but get so busy doing nothing we never get around to it.

Road Sabbath

When I’m on the road, traveling for work, I still try to maintain some sort of Sabbath. (Just like at home, sometimes I’m good at it and other times I fail miserably.)

And rarely, just like at home, is Sabbath a full day for me.

But I’ll take a slow morning.

I’ll intentionally not stay in my hotel room and answer emails.

I’ll go to a movie.

Or take a long drive.

Or wander around taking pictures.

Or go to a pub to read a book and tip a pint.

Or sit and people watch.

Or go sightseeing.

Or driving somewhere to do some sightseeing, tip a pint, then take a nap in the grass while people watching.

I’ll even schedule Sunday as my travel day, so it’s spent on a plane and not working all day.

Sabbath as a lifestyle choice

When I reflect on God’s command for the Sabbath I can’t get away from a few realities.

1. Observing the Sabbath is not optional.
2. It’s about rest and trust, not merely worship and community.
3. It’s about faith in God providing 7 days of provisions for 6 days of work.
4. Avoiding the Sabbath leads to ruin.