Aunty, how should I keep the Sabbath?
22 April 2024 |
Dear Aunt Sevvy
I was a Roman Catholic. I recently discovered the Sabbath.
I’d like to know: how do I keep Sabbath?
Signed, New Sabbath Believer
Dear Believer
Welcome to our little corner of the world! The Sabbath is one of Aunty’s favorite things about being Seventh-day Adventist. It is a beautiful gift given to us!
You might hear some Adventists speak of the Sabbath as a list of black-and-white rules—what you are allowed to do, and what you aren’t. Some treat it as a dour day. Aunty urges you to avoid that temptation! Sabbath isn’t about avoiding things or sacrificing happiness.
Aunty feels that Sabbath is about three R’s: Rest, Restoration, and Relationships. Ask yourself three questions:
- Is this Sabbath activity going to help me rest from the normal burdens of life?
- Is this Sabbath activity going to help me restore some of the physical, spiritual, or mental energy I lost during the rest of the week?
- Is this Sabbath activity going to strengthen (or repair) relationships with the people in my life, as well as with God?
If the answer to the three questions above is “yes!” then that is a Sabbath activity. For most Seventh-day Adventists, Sabbath will include worshiping, eating, and fellowshipping for some part of the day with a happy congregation of fellow believers
I hope you enjoy your new Sabbath time! It is truly a gift from God.
Aunt Sevvy
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Aunt Sevvy has collected her answers into a book! You can get it from Amazon by clicking here.
You can write to Aunt Sevvy at DearAuntSevvy@gmail.com. Your real identity will never be revealed.
