By Dr. Anne Davis

My reaction to those who insist on Sabbath worship is probably typical. I can see the commandment in the Old Testament, but being told it is a requirement, with a sense of judgment if I do not observe the Sabbath, is somehow unsettling.

Recently I discovered a powerful perspective on Sabbath worship which has solved my dilemma. Honoring the Sabbath is not a requirement, nor is it a responsibility. Instead, the Sabbath is a gift that God has given to His people.

A gift can be accepted or rejected, but God never stops offering the Sabbath as a gift. What is important about this gift, I suggest, is the benefits and blessings that it offers.

I have found that resting from work one day each week eliminates all distractions. There are no phone calls, no pressing obligations, and no interruptions. This makes the Sabbath a special time with God when we can experience a close relationship with Him.

Equally important, the Sabbath is a day for special time with your family. I can see in Scripture that family is another gift from God, starting with the relationship of a husband and wife and then expanding to include children and grandchildren.

So, the Sabbath is a gift. We can accept it and grow closer to God and our family, or we can continue with our busy lives. No matter what we choose, we will either be opening our gift or letting it sit on the shelf.

Shabbat Shalom

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