Weekends Off...

By Benjamin H. Liles

          I tend to take the weekends off to recharge. From Friday nights to Sunday before dusk I don't normally blog. The reason for this isn't just to unwind, but so I can be and remain close to the Lord. There's a Bible story where Mary is sat at Jesus' feet. He's giving a word. Martha is in the kitchen doing what she does best (see Luke 10:38-42). It's what we're comfortable with.
          Really and truly the whole point about keeping Saturday blessed and holy is about doing right by those you love. To me, God always comes first. My wife, Tanya, would agree with me on this. Jesus tells us, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? During the high priesthood of Abiathar, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which was lawful only for the priests. And he gave some to his companions as well.”

Then Jesus told them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:25-28, Berean Study).

          If there was a need that arose and someone needed help during my rest on Saturday (which is the seventh day, Sabbath) I would absolutely hands down help. Why? Doing good to others is what God does for us, so why wouldn't I help out? If I could say it differently it would be this way: I love God. What He says goes. In terms of being moralistic and right God's word has the final say. Jesus isn't saying we shouldn't rest, but that rather "Sabbath observance was not a duty that mankind owed to God. Rather, God made the Sabbath as a day of rest for mankind's benefit (Mark 2:27)" (Under "New Testament" of What Does the Bible Say About the Sabbath). 

          I know I am working at this moment in terms of writing and finishing this article. I'm doing it for your benefit, to you the reader. I can rest more after this is done. The point is doing good and right for others is of more importance than my need to look "spiritual." The spiritual thing to do is to always remain in God's will. To me it means doing right when I see Him doing right. When I quote this next verse I'm not equating myself with Jesus, but He lives within me, so I feel I have a love and duty to uphold what He would do: "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner" (John 5:19, New American Standard). 

          More than anything I want Jesus to be made evident in my life. If it means lying down something that is dear to me to give kindness to someone else or even to others, then I figure I'm doing God and His kingdom my best; my all. In the words of a group of men who made music for thirty-three years I quote this: "I just want my life to glorify His Son | To make my Father proud that I'm His child before I'm done | No need to pat me on the back or stop the shake my hand | I just want to hear my Father say "Well done, well done" | I just want to hear my Father say "Well done" (Petra's song God Pleaser).

          So, do your best for someone today. If it means crawling into the Father's lap and allowing Him to show you something, do so. That please Him. If it means extending a helping hand to someone in need, that pleases God as well. We can rest in many different ways. If my wife had a fishing license and a fishing pole she'd want me to take her fishing. I'd just have to be quiet enough to let her fish and to enjoy her time with God in the process. Isn't it amazing what can be done when you rest the right way?