August signals the ending of summer as many school aged children and teachers end a long break from the hectic schedule of classes and activities. This ending of a time of refreshing and renewal before the start of another year is meant to give students and teachers a break from their rigorous schedules and allow the mind and body to rest.
This shadows in some degree God’s Sabbath. The word of God tells us He created in six days and rested. He later commanded, “six days to do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household and the alien as well, may be refreshed”, Exodus 23:12. God knew we needed refreshing and renewal. He also knew it would only be found fully in Him. He wants us to slow down enough to direct our attention to Him during this time. Rick Warren said we need rest, “that is why we are called human beings, not human doings.”
Jesus later encouraged Martha, Mary’s sister, in Luke 10, who was furiously working in His presence, “worried and upset by many things”, to rest. Jesus said that her sister Mary, who was resting and sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to His words, had chosen what was better. May we take our Sabbath rest each week and be refreshed and encouraged by Him.