Although we have been made free from the law of the Old Testament, choosing to honor the Sabbath can do a great deal for our physical health, internal peace, and overall restoration. In Mark 2:27, Jesus said that "people were not made for the good of the Sabbath. The Sabbath was made for the good of people" (CEV).

Could you use one day a week to replenish?

Would establishing a "Sabbath day" do you some good?

There’s no doubt about it: Our God values a strong work ethic; and He is unequivocal about hard work and success being inextricably linked. Proverbs 20:13 reads, "If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!" (NLT). Proverbs 14:23 also teaches, "All hard work pays off. But if all you do is talk, you will be poor (NIRV). Sometimes, however, we can forget that working hard does not mean forfeiting rest. In fact, when we rest, we are able to work harder and maximize our productivity.

Christian and Chick-fil-A founder, Truitt Cathy has proven that the Sabbath is, indeed, "made for the good of people." Since its inception over 60 years ago, Cathy closes his restaurant on Sundays to honor the Sabbath day. Although his competitors would consider it financial sabotage to be closed on one of the top two sales days of the week, Cathy forsakes Sunday earnings. He also publicly maintains that observing the Sabbath was the best business decision he ever made. Today, Chick-fil-A remains one of the fastest growing fast food restaurants in the country. With 1,420 stores in 38 states that sold nearly $3 billion worth of chicken sandwiches, waffle-fries and milk shakes in 2008, Cathy inspires us to rethink our definition of "hard work".

In our culture, we have been programmed to believe that we "cannot afford" to take a day off; but we must ask ourselves, "Can we afford not to?" Even when we labor for the Lord, the law of sowing and reaping still prevails. If we don’t sow rest to offset the stress, what do we expect to reap?

Do you remember Epaphroditus, the tireless worker sent by the Philippian church to assist Paul in prison (Philippians 2:25-30)? Epaphroditus almost died – working himself to death. Paul stated to the Philippians, "[Epaphroditus] almost died for the work of Christ. He put his life in danger to make up for the help you couldn't give me" (Philippians 2:30, NIRV).

Have you, also, been putting your life in danger? Could you and your ministry benefit from Truitt Cathy’s approach to productivity?

Remember, even if we "overwork ourselves for Jesus", we will pay the price. So let’s pick a day – any day – to rest. Exodus 23:10-12 shows us that all of creation can benefit from regularly scheduled rejuvenation. If we dedicate a day to honor the Sabbath, our bodies will thank us… and we’ll work not only harder, but smarter. After all, wasn’t the Sabbath made for us?

Our cry:
Lord, thank you for using Your Word as a guiding post for all things. Help me find balance — working hard for You, while setting aside the time needed to rest. Even though You did not need it, You rested after six days of work to set an example for me. I will labor according to Your Word, and be replenished in the time that I set aside to be still. Teach me how to labor wisely so that I can be healthy and more fruitful for You.

For I am Your Handmaiden. I am Your servant.

Recommended reading:
Philippians 2:25-30
Exodus 23:10-12

Marsha DuCille
Publisher/Editorial Director
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