11/16/08
There are days when it seems that there’s not much going on but that does not mean that we are resting. Abba took a wonderful step in advancing mankind’s journey toward understanding His grace when He commanded a day of rest which was more a blessing than a command to obedience. The command part of abstaining from work is merely a physical manifestation of a deeper spiritual truth as are much if not all of Abba’s commandments which deal with mankind and relationship. Why do I say relationship? The Shabbat (Sabbath) is a day about relationship, a time set aside for us not merely to abstain from but to be with Him in this time of stoppage. Just not doing work is something that many people accomplish who have no connection with Abba or a church, it’s inactivity without purpose, only a follower of Abba’s offer of relationship can come close to accomplishing the real intent for Abba’s Shabbat rest. The Shabbat is a sanctuary not of location but a sanctuary in time, which can be observed anyplace under any circumstances. It’s a stepping back from not merely external busyness but into an internal space of peace, a place where Abba can relate to us no matter our outer circumstances. I find I often enter this space, some might call it spacing out but for me it’s zoning in to a grace space, a space inhabited by Him who created all things. Just as Abba denied David, a man after His own heart, his request to build a Temple for Him, instead telling Dave that it was His intent to build an everlasting house for him; Abba has built for us a sanctuary in time, a meeting place for us to dwelling with Him. We’ve been offered the great gift of dropping our activity of trying to build His house, our house, or any other type of work in order to step into the house He built for us, an eternal meeting place. It is here that things are put back into perspective, that joy can be made full, where we are refreshed and renewed by spending time with Him who loves us beyond our greatest imaginings. Ahh, I love Shabbat Steps and the cool thing is we don’t have to wait for a special day to step into this sanctuary, the door is open, just knock.
k
