God gives good gifts and the Sabbath is one of my favorites. To a nation of freed slaves, He commanded them (it’s one of the top ten! That’s how good God is) “Thou Shalt Taketh A Dayeth Offeth”. (New AJ Paraphrase, © 2018)
But as someone that sucks at taking Sabbath rest, how do you do that? The Gospel Coalition has 7 suggestions. My favorite is number five, find a hobby:
I think one of the reasons people don’t rest well is they don’t have hobbies. Hobbies are helpful because they occupy our minds and energies during Sabbath rest. That’s often more balancing and more restorative than simply sitting on the couch and watching TV. Sabbath rest is not just about ceasing activity, but redirecting activity into alternative, life-giving channels. Once again, Sabbath rest takes work.
Often it’s good, I think, for our hobbies to be different from our profession. For instance, if you have a desk job, join an intramural sports team. Or if your job is highly relational and fast-paced, find a hobby that is leisurely and provides solitude. Pastors and others who work in a Christian environment can often benefit from having hobbies that put them into close contact with non-Christians and/or in a non-leadership role.