I’m a social being. I am rejuvenated by connecting with people. To me, Facebook and Instagram are a much-appreciated way for me to stay connected to those I care about.
However, with my extroverted nature comes a struggle with being alone, quiet. If I’m by myself, I feel like I need to do something…laundry, cleaning, Facebook…don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with getting chores done when you have some down time. But for me, it is a challenge to just. sit. still. And that means I drain myself to exhaustion and scramble to take a breath once I’ve depleted my reserves.
My blog has been an excellent way for me to stay connected to people, even people I don’t know. My heart is full when I hear from someone who reads my blog, and who is encouraged or inspired in his or her own life. But that doesn’t mean I don’t need time away.
You see, I’m a Christian. Or, as I prefer to say, a Jesus follower. That doesn’t mean I’m perfect or even think I am. It means I have a relationship with Jesus, try my best to follow Him, and know this world is just a temporary stopping place on my way to something much greater.
As Christians, we’re told to take a “sabbath” every week. A day of rest, a day set apart from all the other days. There are many differing opinions on exactly what a sabbath means. To some, it means a day completely focused on God, devoid from any other activities. To others, it means a day to be spent with family, enjoying God’s creation and dwelling on good things. For some, it’s a completely outdated law. And then there’s a whole group of people right in the middle of all that.
For me, a sabbath is a day to rest. THIS book by Mark Buchanan did an excellent job of explaining what the “rest of God” truly is. It’s not about laws and rules and dotting your “i’s” and crossing your “t’s”. It’s not about fulfilling an obligation so we are in favor with God. We were given the commandment “keep the sabbath day holy” because God knows us. He knows we have weaknesses. And He knows if he doesn’t tell us to take a break, we won’t.
I feel like I could do a lot better when it comes to the sabbath. Especially when it comes to my blog. You see, even on my “day off,” I still make sure I am posting on Facebook and Pinterest, sometimes even creating new recipes or blog posts, trying to make sure I don’t fall behind. But then I realized: I am relying on my own strength and prowess to help me succeed instead of trusting God to have my back if I take a day off.
So, I decided that’s just what I’ll do. Every Saturday is going to be my day off. What does that mean? No Facebook. No Instagram. No Pinterest or Twitter. No blog. No e-mail. No computer. I’m not even looking at the computer or using my iPhone. People did this for thousands of years, people. I think I can do it for one day a week. I’m not reachable. Well, I guess I am by phone to the people who I’m close with in my life. But other than that, it will just have to wait until Sunday.
I feel strongly that we need to carve out time, intentionally, where we are unplugged from everything. We were not made to be going 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
So, do any of you want to do this challenge with me? Try unplugging for one day a week? I know it probably sounds impossible, but it’s not. It will just take effort. Are you in?
Leave a Reply