Over the years, I have observed the Sabbath in fits and starts, but I can literally give this testimony: “The Sabbath saved my life.” Without a doubt, this practice has allowed me to sustain God’s mission over the long haul with both fruitfulness and joy. God shaped us from clay and then immediately invited us to play. I love the Jewish conception of the Sabbath as a 24-hour period beginning at sundown. Living in a neighborhood with a thriving Jewish community, my husband and I once found ourselves at the home of Jewish friends who spontaneously invited us to join their weekly welcome of Shabbat. In this tradition, your day begins not by ramping up for work, but by winding down. From this perspective, the human day begins with slumber and rest—an undeniable acknowledgment of our limitations as God quietly continues His work of making the world go round.
Although the Sabbath was technically the seventh day for God, it was the first full day for humanity. God did not create Adam and Eve on Day 1, but on Day 6. From their vantage point, almost immediately after entering the world for the first time, they were ushered into Sabbath joy. That was, of course, God’s intention from the very beginning.
What does it mean, in practice, for disciples of Jesus to observe this rhythm? Most would agree that practicing Sabbath rest in leadership can be a challenge, especially in the fast-paced, demanding world of ministry. The concept of Sabbath as a discipleship rhythm is not just an abstract theological idea but a practical necessity for spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. Embracing this rest is essential for sustaining a healthy and fruitful ministry over the long term.
What does it mean, in practice, for disciples of Jesus to practice Sabbath? Most would agree that the church is no longer beholden to every detail of God’s covenant with Israel. And yet, for me, there’s still something universal about Sabbath, especially given that it holds a timeless place within the Ten Commandments.
Today, I believe that Sabbath-keeping is most essentially about the commitment to regular rhythms of rest in Christ. I also believe that we each have creative freedom, together with the Lord, to determine what that looks like in different seasons of our lives. As Scripture says, “Do not let anyone judge you by … a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” (Col. 2:16–17).
I aim to take a full day of Sabbath on Sundays, but because I travel regularly and preach on Sundays, I sometimes have to be intentional about calendaring in another day of the week. One pastor I know made a practice of splitting up 24 hours of rest over several days of the week. Still others quite wisely expand upon the principle of Sabbath by engaging in rhythms of rest not only weekly, but also monthly, quarterly or annually. Regardless of how we choose to approach it, forming a regular practice of resting in Christ is vital to our spiritual health and flourishing.
Michelle T. Sanchez is the author of Color-Courageous Discipleship and God’s Beloved Community. She also serves as the senior leader for evangelism and discipleship in the Evangelical Covenant Church.