Dan and I take the Sabbath seriously. Our weeks fly by in a flurry of activity, people, serving and encouraging others as best we can. But we rarely let anything or anyone encroach on our day of rest. On Sunday morning we no longer go to a physical building for church. We have reached a season in our lives when we feel we can worship more effectively taking the Sabbath in the way it was intended. On the seventh day, God rested (Genesis 2:2-3). Culturally we are (typically) taught that on the seventh day we go to Church. A physical building with lots of people and a full schedule of activities. We did that for many decades. We learned a lot. We grew in our faith. We established great friendships and had a wonderful social outlet for ourselves and for our children. But we are now in a season when planning yet another day of activity and interaction is exhausting for us. We desperately need our day of rest.
Some keep the Sabbath going to Church,
I keep it staying at Home –
With a bobolink for a Chorister,
And an Orchard, for a Dome….
~Emily Dickinson, c.1862
I so relate to Emily Dickinson. On Sunday mornings Dan and I drink our tea together, chat a bit about things we are reading and learning….and then he takes his long walk communing with nature. I take myself to the chaise in our backyard and pretend I am at the beach, lie back and get a good dose of vitamins and enrichment from the sun. And I listen. It is a kind of ritual. I try to see how quickly I can discern at least 15-20 DIFFERENT sounds. It’s amazing how much you can hear if you listen deeply. A fly buzzing by, the whoosh of a hummingbird searching for nectar, the chirrup of the cicadas, tree branches rubbing together in the wind, a distant train whistle, a jet thousands of feet in the air, a car on a road nearby. The list goes on and on. I rarely listen to anything digital or electronic. I want to commune with Nature. In this setting it becomes so easy and natural to have a real and uninterrupted conversation with God.
….Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice
I just wear my wings–
And instead of tolling the bell for Church,
Our little sexton sings.
God preaches, a noted clergyman
And the sermon is never long.
So instead of getting to heaven, at last–
I’m going, all along.
~Emily Dickinson, c.1862
It is very fulfilling to worship our great Creator in whatever way seems fitting but it seems a larger number of people are finding God in ways that go beyond the walls of a building.
One of my favorite books is Ken Gire’s Windows of the Soul. Gire relates how finding God in the wilderness, in vocation, in art, poetry, movies, dreams, and stories enriches our lives. I have read and taught from that book a dozen times.
Perhaps you are finding ways beyond the norm to experience God. I’d love to hear from you.
I love our Sabbaths together. And I always feel enriched, inspired and spiritually recharged for the week ahead.
Seems when we don’t take a Sabbath day the rest of the week doesn’t go as well. Taking time to rest and restore is highly underrated in the USA!
I did this exact thing this past Sunday. I felt that it would be better for me to skip church to stay home, read my Bible and talk to God, rather than go to another activity and follow the routine of the service. It is frowned upon in my church-going area of the South, but it matters not one whit to me. Thanks for the encouraging words.
I remember years ago when I was astounded to find that the Bible never says to GO to church. It says explicitly to BE the church. And BEING the church is always the most important. Sadly, in the South (I live here too!) when someone meets you, the second question asked is “Where do you go to church?”…….and people are often judged by their answer……Totally not cool… Thanks, Ashley… for your comment.
Beautiful – and what a great illustration of how you can still worship outside of the church walls. I love your desire to commune with nature and actually get out in and appreciate all of God’s creation!
Nature is God in the real. I marvel at the beauty God places right before our eyes and so often everyone is way too busy to notice. I know you and your family take lots of time to notice….and so glad you do! Thanks Ashley for your comment.
Thank you for sharing your nontraditional Sabbath that you have discovered for this season of your life. After a lifetime of keeping the traditional Sabbath, I found myself unable to continue the tradition. I had to find my new way even though I felt this must be wrong – not keeping the tradition. I reflect, ponder, listen, and try to reset. In the stillness of simply looking out the window, sometimes I receive an inspiration. “… Be still, and know that I am God …” (Psalm 46:10)
Debra Irene….When I stopped going to a traditional church I felt like everyone was watching and I even had people tell me they would pray that I find the right church home. I asked them not to. I found what I needed. I didn’t leave God. I didn’t leave my faith. I just entered a new season. And this fits me for now. Here’s another quote I have on my wall in my office/studio: “Let us be silent that we may hear the voice of God.” It’s by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Thanks for your comment, Debra!
Wow! This is a beautifully written description of your Sunday meditations with our Lord! The nature walks and moments to just listen and relax are so very important for refreshment in our relationship with God. I love how it perfectly fits into the life you share of the “Haven of Peace!”
Thanks, Margie. Yes, it certainly fits our lives in this season. Peaceful, full of rest and recuperation from a busy week of people and activity. Thanks for your comment, dear sister!
I really love the intentionality with which you and Dan live, Joanne. And the space you make for listening and just being outside. Natures ability to heal and calm is like nothing else. I am right there with you!
Thanks, Claudia for your comment! From one Creative to another, I know you understand, first hand, how easy it is to just be too busy to stop and listen! Love you, my friend!