"Sabbat"

We have to rest, when the test,

Runs long and won’t let go,

Down time, too, just to renew,

Especially when we’re low.

The promise sure, we will endure,

If we wait on His strength,

Mount up with wings, and do great things,

He’ll go to any length,

To meet us there and with us share,

The grace for every need,

Helps us to soar, and do much more,

Abundant life indeed.

To walk and run, and get things done,

The pause to catch our breath,

The Spirit’s flow, helps us to know,

When stakes are life and death.

So take Sabbat, so work does not,

Steal your joy and peace,

Be still and know, and He will show,

Our fruitfulness increase.

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31, NIV)

Hoping in the Lord and taking time to wait on Him is crucial to our productivity. Many of us have adopted such a frenetic pace they we are on the verge of burnout all the time. Jesus led His disciples to come apart and rest. God rested on the seventh day, not because He was tired but because we need a break. I am not speaking of a religious ritual, but rather a spiritual exercise. It’s a necessary, non-negotiable requirement of being consistently used by the Spirit.

Lord, help us rest, in Jesus’ name.

Robert “Shoofly” Shufelt, used by permission. Thanks, Robert, and God bless you.