“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24

Sabbath is a reminder of who we truly serve. We are not meant to work constantly. Too much work and we risk letting productivity, achievements, accolades or our own abilities (which themselves are gifts from God) become idols. Sabbath rest reminds us that we are finite and find our rest and full supply in God.

In Jesus, we find freedom. By grace through faith, we are no longer slaves. What joy there is in that! But there is also a challenge. Jesus’ call to follow Him is a call to abandon all other masters. He called Matthew from the tax collector’s booth. Matthew obeyed and walked away from extravagant wealth and questionable deals. Jesus called Peter, James, and John from the fishing docks. To obey Jesus’ call meant that they had to leave behind everything they knew, everything they’d worked for. The cessation of work is an intentional choice to follow the way of Jesus, not the world. This isn’t easy but it is good - it is God’s design for us. We know this because in following Him, in pursuing Him through surrender and rest, we draw closer to Him and learn to lean on Him, not our own abilities or works.

Ponder:
What ‘masters’ are you serving besides God?
Rather than seeing this as something to feel bad about, see it as an opportunity to lay them down and invite God into every aspect of your life. This surrender is a new entrance into the true rest available to you as His beloved child.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I admit that I find myself serving many masters. In this world it feels normal to follow the flow and let time, tasks, and routine take over my daily life. But this is not Your plan for me. Work is good but not when it takes my attention away from You. Nothing is good if it diverts my heart from the pursuit of a deeper relationship with You. Help me Lord to lay down all masters besides You. In all my ways I want to heed your call to ‘come follow me.’ In my work and rest, let my life lead me and those who come behind me, into a deeper relationship with You. I start with surrendering my time and setting aside the Sabbath day as a holy day of acknowledging Your good and perfect design for me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.