Sabbath Rich

I'm experiencing sabbath poverty.  There is no blessing in this kind of poverty.  Abraham Joshua Heschel writes in The Sabbath,

Technical civilization is man's conquest of space [I usually describe as "stuff"]. It is a triumph frequently achieved by sacrificing an essential ingredient of existence, namely, time. In technical civilization, we expend time to gain space. To enhance our power in the world of space is our main objective. Yet to have more does not mean to be more. (3)

The Bible is more concerned with time that with space. The first thing that is quadosh (holy-set apart) is a day (Genesis 2.1-2)

The meaning of the Sabbath is to celebrate time rather than space. Six days a week we live under thy tyranny of things of space; on the Sabbath we try to become attuned to holiness in time. It is a day on which we are called upon to share in what is eternal in time. It is a day on which we are called upon to share in what is eternal in time, to turn from the results of creation to the mystery of creation; for the world of creation to the creation of the world. (10)

God loves the world (rich and poor) so much he gave everyone the same amount of time to cease productivity in doing, and embrace belovedness in being.  Heschel says the poorest man is a king on the sabbath.

I'm poor today. The longer I go between sabbath keeping, the more difficult it is for me rest. I usually feel guilty in breaking commandments, but with this commandment, I feel guilty keeping it.

I do have my mini-sabbath in the morning where God ministers to me in his word, and I "come away" and become the beloved son again. Sovereign Grace's song, "Come Weary Saints" has helped me greatly.

VERSE 1 Come, weary saints, though tired and weak 
Hide away in the love of Jesus
Your strength will return by His quiet streams 
Hide away in the love of Jesus

VERSE 2Come, wandering souls, and find your home 
Hide away in the love of Jesus
He offers the rest that you yearn to know 
Hide away in the love of Jesus

BRIDGE Hear Him calling your name 
See the depths of His love 
In the wounds of His grace 
Hide away

VERSE 3 Come, guilty ones weighed down with sin 
Hide away in the love of Jesus
The freedom you long for is found in Him 
Hide away in the love of Jesus

VERSE 4 Come, hopeless hearts, do not despair 
Hide away in the love of Jesus
For ten thousand joys await you there 
Hide away in the love of Jesus

© 2008 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP).