Why we should sabbath in the chaos

As the end of the semester rapidly approaches, we find ourselves bustling to get as much schoolwork done as possible while still grasping at our last bits of sanity.  

Many of us are athletes, or working, or commuting on top of school, making it difficult to get any sort of rest, but we must keep in mind that our bodies and minds need adequate relaxation in order to power through these last few weeks of the semester. What better way to do that other than taking a sabbath?  

One might argue that sabbaths are meant to be only taken on Sundays, but I’m here to tell you that they are not. Sabbaths can be taken on any day. The whole purpose of a sabbath is to abstain from work. Now taking a day or rest for sabbath does not necessarily mean lying in bed all day sleeping, as wonderful as that may sound.  

A day of sabbath in the Bible emphasizes the importance of keeping the Sabbath holy, rather than simply ceasing work. With that being said, there are many different ways in which we can take a day or two of rest without being just lazy in vain in these next few weeks.  

If you are a student athlete, you can take time to just hang out with your teammates as a sabbath! It does not always need to be a full day. Finding rest in the downtime in your busy schedule can be an innovative way of receiving your sabbath. It could be something as simple as grabbing a bite to eat (because let’s face it, we athletes are always hungry, especially after practice). Besides, this practice could help in your sport too: not only does it influence team bonding, but when you feel well, you perform well. 

As a commuter, it’s extra hard finding time to find time to rest when you’re so busy running around. However, we go to school practically right next to the beach! Having a beach day with friends, family, or even by yourself could be the perfect day of rest: you’d be surrounded by people you love and care about, as well as God’s beautiful creation. Even if no one’s available to go with you, you could take advantage of any spare moment and enjoy it by yourself. A beach day could give you the opportunity to reflect on the week and refresh your mind, with the ocean breeze and the sound of the waves to keep you calm and grounded. 

Even if you work a ton, taking a sabbath could be as easy as finding one day to take off. Try to do something you enjoy. Read a book, go shopping, take a solid nap, make yourself a meal; there are endless choices. Just engage in something that benefits you in some way and boosts your overall spirit.  

A sabbath day can include any hobby that you enjoy. Things like bike riding, hiking, going to the movie theater, or recreational reading all could all be great ways to spend your sabbath.  

It’s important that we remember to not take our sabbath days in vain, as God wants them to be joyful and delightful as we are sacrificing time out of our busy schedules to not focus on everything going on, but as we focus on rest in Him. So be sure to set aside a day or two within these next few weeks before finals to clear your mind and prepare to power through those exams and papers!