God imbedded a healthy rhythm of work and rest into his design for us and for creation. ----- Would it surprise you to know that work was originally designed to be a good thing? And that rest was not always just our response to being tired? ----- 1. God rested from his work not out of necessity, but to show that his work was complete. 2. God gave humans work to do before the curse of sin, so work is a good thing by design! 3. Because of sin, we get tired and must rest out of necessity, but there's also a need to rest out of completion, which is why we need the Sabbath! ----- What is the hardest part for you about observing a Sabbath day once a week? 1. I feel like I have too much work to do and not enough time. 2. My family and social calendar keep me too busy. 3. I don't like sitting around and doing nothing...it makes me anxious or restless. ----- PRAY >>> Heavenly Father, Creator of all things, we love you for who you are and all that you've done. We love you because you have shown your goodness to us in providing for us, and allowing us to rest in you. Help us to practice this rest on a weekly basis, even when it seems impractical or strange to do so. We pray that you would bless the work of our hands and cause to be thankful for the opportunity to impact our world through work. And as we work, give us the strength and wisdom to be witnesses to the goodness of Jesus Christ to those around us. Amen.