Life in Lethbridge can feel like a constant race against the wind—sometimes literally! Between work deadlines, family responsibilities, and the general busyness that seems to define our modern era, the concept of rest can feel like a distant dream, or even a luxury we simply can’t afford. We scroll through our phones, hop from one task to the next, and collapse into bed at night only to do it all over again the next day.
But what if God designed a solution for this very problem? What if the cure for our exhaustion wasn’t more productivity, but a divine rhythm of rest?
This isn’t just about a “day off.” This is about the ancient, beautiful practice of Sabbath.
More Than a Rule, It’s a Gift
Many of us grew up thinking of the Sabbath as a list of “don’ts.” But at its heart, the Sabbath is a profound gift from a loving God. In Genesis, we read that after the work of creation, God Himself rested on the seventh day and blessed it. He didn’t need to rest; He was modeling a pattern for us—a rhythm of work and rest that is woven into the very fabric of creation.
Jesus later clarified this by saying, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). It was created for our benefit. It’s a weekly invitation to stop, to breathe, and to remember that the world will keep spinning even if we step away from our to-do lists for a day.
What Does Sabbath Look Like Today?
So, how do we practice this in 21st-century Southern Alberta? It’s going to look different for everyone, but the principles remain the same. The core idea is to set aside a 24-hour period (for many Christians, this is Sunday) to cease from productive work and to engage in activities that restore your soul and connect you with God.
- Cease: This is the hardest part. It means intentionally stopping your regular work. For those of us who are always “on,” this means setting an out-of-office reply, ignoring the house chores, and letting go of the guilt that whispers you should be doing something more “productive.”
- Rest: This is physical rest. Take a nap. Go for a leisurely walk along the Oldman River and just enjoy the view of the coulees without checking your fitness tracker. Let your body recover.
- Delight: Engage in activities that bring you joy and connect you with God’s goodness. Share a slow, intentional meal with family or friends. Read a book that nourishes your spirit. For me, Daniel Zopoula, sometimes this means putting on some worship music and just sitting in the quiet of my own home here in Lethbridge, reminding my heart of God’s faithfulness.
- Worship: This is a key component. Gathering with other believers, whether at a local church service or in a small group, reorients our hearts toward God. It reminds us that He is the source of our peace and our ultimate rest.
Overcoming the Obstacles
“I’m too busy to take a whole day off.” I hear you. I’ve said it myself. But this is where faith comes in. Sabbath is an act of trust. It’s a declaration that God is ultimately in control of our lives, our businesses, and our families—not us. When we Sabbath, we are actively trusting that He can manage the universe for 24 hours without our help.
Start small if you have to. Maybe it begins with a Sabbath afternoon. The goal isn’t legalistic perfection; it’s about moving toward a rhythm that brings life.
An Invitation to Rest
In a world that glorifies burnout, choosing Sabbath is a counter-cultural act of rebellion. It’s a way of saying that our worth is found not in what we produce, but in whose we are. We are children of God, invited to enter His rest.
My hope for our Lethbridge community is that we can rediscover this gift. That we can be a people marked not by our fatigue, but by our peace—a peace that flows from a regular, trusting practice of laying down our burdens and picking up the rest that Christ offers.
It’s an invitation that’s been open for millennia. Maybe this week is the week you finally RSVP “yes.”
Blessings,
Daniel Zopoula
Leave a Reply