Ladd In the Ten Commandments we are called to keep the Sabbath day holy. This commandment has been the part of more debate among Christians than almost any other. Earlier in our history we honored the Sabbath much more in how we lived our lives. Now there are so many things that encroach upon the day that is to be kept holy to the Lord. I believe that with our busy lives we must recapture this rhythm of life in God so we can live more complete lives.

I believe we get caught up in making our identity in something other than God. We may find our identity in our work. Thinking that if we succeed we are defined by our work and therefore work becomes our god. Maybe we get caught up in sports and make that our god. Whether it is professional or youth league sports we can allow them to encroach upon the day and make it less than holy. We struggle to a great degree with finding our identity in God who loves us and redeems us.

Looking at the commandment in Exodus 20:8-11 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy” We find that this is connected back to the creation story and we are called to rest. Just as God rested on the seventh day we need that to restore wholeness and health to our body, mind and spirit.

Curiously in Deuteronomy we see a slight change. In this repetition of the Ten Commandments there is a different reason for keeping the commandment.

“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do. 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.” Deuteronomy 5:12-15

We are called to remember what God did for saving the Israelites out of the slavery in Egypt. Every week the people were called to rest and remember.

I believe if we will take Sunday and rest and remember what God has done for us in saving us from the slavery to sin and death by intentionally glorifying God we will be on the right track. I urge you to make that choice to find a church in Carroll County to attend and to glorify God.

Remembering what God did for you shapes you into His Disciple and resting in His Spirit prepares you to share his love. Now go to remember and rest on Sunday.

Todd Ladd is the pastor at the Delphi United Methodist Church.