Rest is extremely underrated in today’s American culture. It’s funny, you don’t often see images in online success social media accounts using the word “Rest” over a screenshot of Will Smith in “The Pursuit of Happiness” or Leonardo DiCaprio in “Wolf of Wall Street”. Instead, we’re bombarded with mantras like:
“Hustle. Grind. Repeat.”
“Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”
Don’t hear me wrong – I love hard work and I consider myself pretty well versed in the art of the hustle.
But…we all need one day a week where we disconnect, unplug, and shut the world off – including our hustle.
Brady Boyd, in his book Addicted to Busy, calls it a “Pajama Day”. Have one day a week where nothing requires you to change out of your PJ’s.
God calls it a Sabbath.
Whatever you call it, you need to do it.
If you knew a guy who was cheating on his wife every week, yet attending church and considering himself a strong Christian believer, you would have a real problem with his blatant disobedient to Godly living.
Yet almost all of us willingly and regularly disobey the command to a Holy Sabbath rest day!
I’m trying to get better at it – I’m not perfect but I’m getting there. My father always strongly modeled this principle growing up, but it’s still a fight to maintain a personal culture of rest. Here’s a few tips and resources that I find helpful for a successful sabbath:
– iPhone users, enable “Do Not Disturb” mode for the whole day
– Read “Addicted to Busy” by Brady Boyd (I read this every year. A Must Read!) .
– No errands – no grocery shopping or Costco runs allowed.
– Watch “Take The Day Off” sermon by Robert Morris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2fSDgzz6ZU
– Read “Simplify” by Bill Hybels
Be with your family, shut things with screens down, and RELAX. The hustle and grind can wait.
