Shabbat Shalom

How shall we honor the Sabbath?  We seek to be obedient to God, but we are also not slaves to the law, thanks to the gift of grace that is redemption in Yeshua HaMashiach.

I know that many have found answers to this question for themselves, and I am now in the position of seeking God's will for me.  I have prayed for the Lord to reveal to me how He would prefer for me to keep the Sabbath, and that He would teach me the meaning of Sabbath, and as sure as I am that He answers my questions, I have been poised for His answer.

A long time ago I asked my husband if we might just take one Friday a month to observe a Sabbath at home.  We already share Shabbat services elsewhere on two other Fridays each month.  He said no at that time, because he was overwhelmed with all our commitments and wanted to remain spontaneous.  But as I continued to pray, recently he suggested (and I'm sure he had forgotten my request) that we do just as I had asked.  We settled on Friday, May 1, 2009 as our launch date.  We decided to have an open invitation to all on the first Friday of every month, and make it comfortable, home-style and centered on Yeshua as our Sabbath rest. 

As I prepared for the Shabbat, one feature of the traditional service was particularly intriguing.  The Shabbat doesn't just fizzle out at the end of the 25 hours of rest.  The ending of the memorial is as important as the beginning.  The end of Shabbat is marked by the "Havdalah" ceremony.  Havdalah speaks of dividing, just as God divided day from night on the first day of creation. It speaks of the process of sanctification by which His chosen ones are set apart from the world for Him.  So my Sabbath observance must have a clearly defined beginning and a clearly defined end, in order to be properly set apart for Him.

In advance of our first Shabbat, I had a week of overwhelm at work.  I had sleepless nights.  I carried much stress and found little relief.  By the time Friday, May 1 rolled around, I was desperate for rest.  Then my daily reading for that day spoke to me as a blessed assurance:

"For indeed HE gives HIS beloved ones restful sleep.  Behold: The heritage of Adonai is children; the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of youth. Praiseworthy is the man who fills his quiver with them;" (Psalm 127:2-5)

Although I put up signs in the community, sent a few emails and expected a few guests, in the end it was just Jerry, me and our daughter and her family.  The psalm increased my appreciation of this company.  We distinguished the Shabbat from ordinary family dinners by lighting candles, reciting blessings, praying, and engaging in a discussion after dinner.  A bit more formal than usual, and an opportunity to impart to our family and worship with them.

I am committed to abstaining from work during this time, but Jerry continues to work as hard as ever, and we have an understanding that our marriage unit will benefit from even one of us observing the Sabbath.  Interestingly, as Jerry left the house at 5am the following morning to go to work, he slipped and fractured his ankle.  I pray the Lord will use this experience for good.

Even as I finish writing this post, I am prepared to finish the Shabbat with the Havdalah.  Then I will head off with Jerry to the VA emergency room.  The sky is darkening, and a layer of fog might prevent me actally seeing the first three stars of the evening...  

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2Cor 5:7)