Key Bible Verse: Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy (Exodus 20:8). Bonus Reading:Exodus 20:81

Most of us are not adept at listening to our bodies. We live in a world where such attentiveness is not merely undervalued, it is nearly forbidden. The market values workers who will gut out crazy hours and call it commitment, take a pill instead of a rest. If you've got a problem with that and pause for a moment to think about it, there's always someone waiting to cut in and run off with your job.

Nothing in our culture supports the notion of Sabbath. And if we are slaves to work, we are willing victims. We either flatter or deceive ourselves if we believe we are the first generation to struggle so painfully with the balance of work and rest. There's a reason why keeping the Sabbath is one of the ancient Ten Commandments. It's a divine order because rest has never been something we do naturally. Fear of privation, whether of food for the table or a vacation home at the shore, has always driven people to work seven days and skip vacations. So God has always had to insist on rest. Flip the Closed sign, park the rig, shut down the computer. Take a break.

My Response: My first step My first step toward keeping the Sabbath holy will be…

Thought to Apply: More than being concerned with who wins the Super Bowl, the Lord is probably more concerned that they might find a day other than Sunday to play it on.