Reading “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” last year transformed my perspective on the Sabbath. I realized I had been using Saturdays as overflow for the workweek – catching up on tasks and racing through checklists. But what if we embraced the Sabbath as intended – a true day of rest? Not through rigid rules, but by intentionally choosing activities that restore our mind, body, and relationships. This means setting aside emails, shopping, and that endless to-do list (yes, maybe still throwing in that essential load of laundry).
Recently, I caught myself back-sliding into old patterns. My quiet morning devotions were slipping away amid exciting new collaborations and project launches. The work was exhilarating! Then Saturday arrived, and I found myself in my office at dawn, armed with an ambitious task list. That’s when my Verse of the Day appeared – Hebrews 4:9-10: “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”
I dropped everything and headed to walk in our fields listening to the Bible in a Year podcast reading on Exodus 4-5. Father Mike drew out some great insight: Pharaoh, frustrated that the Israelites still found time to worship despite their labor, increased their workload. In today’s world, we are ruled by a Pharaoh or more often become our own Pharaoh – overcommitting, pushing boundaries, and relying solely on our strength. I was Pharaoh.
Even when our work has purpose and meaning (avodah), too much of a good thing can derail us from God’s intentions. So, after my walk, instead of returning to my office, I played, read, napped, and connected with people I love. The Sabbath doesn’t just enable us to rest, celebrate, worship and connect – it empowers us to serve with greater excellence and intention during our other six days. It ignites our creativity, energy, patience, and vision, making us better teammates, leaders, spouses, parents, and friends.
Are you a leader setting a Pharaoh-like pace for yourself and others (I know I used to)? Are you creating boundaries that allow your weekly rhythm of restoration? I’d love to hear what your purposeful “speed bump” is in the week and how you are working to ruthlessly eliminate hurry in your life.
