Saturday: Sabbath & Play: Recreating & Moving through the World
September 6
- Scripture: Mark 2:27 — “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”
- Reflection: Dedicate your attention and energy toward rest and recreation. Rejuvenate your inner child. Embrace play.
In particular, get outside and connect with the wider world. Or explore it in any way that your senses, physical circumstances, and wellbeing permit. Nature reflects God’s joy and creates space for respite, relaxation, and creativity.
Every faith tradition incorporates the opportunity to put down work and worry, and to focus on spiritual renewal. This includes different ways of observing the Sabbath, on different days of the week, as a community. To learn more about how different traditions observe days of rest, read this article. Judeo-Christian scripture says in Genesis, “On the seventh day God finished the work… and ceased from all the work … and God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because on it God ceased from all the work of creation.” From The BAB, Persian Bayan, Vahid 7, 17: “God has created Friday for purity and pleasantness, and the resting of His servants from what they undertake on other days.” Even Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh said, “Our body and mind have the capacity to heal themselves if we allow them to rest. Stopping, calming, and resting are preconditions for healing.” - Spiritual Practice: Take time today for leisure. Walk outside, watch for birds, listen to nature sounds, or find a body of water to use as a focal point. Let the beauty of creation refresh your soul.
Song:
- Rest by Dean Lewis and Sascha Alex Sloan: https://youtu.be/tue2GTqe3Z8?si=q4I8Z-KN4Ne8Uyxl
“Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is relax.” — Mark Black
Sept 6 Daily Devotional