Sabbath Rest

A greater Understanding

In my last blog I referenced the Institute of Light Finders and their vision to help children grow in spirit, mind and body through the avenue of play. Lynn, Amy and I have been watching the film series on the life of Christ called, “The Chosen” and I am really amazed at the depth of insight shown in the film. I especially enjoy watching Jesus’s interaction with children. It is what I had imagined; that He possesses a natural gift to be with children and enjoy children.

In Matthew 18:1-5 we read, “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child to Him, and placed the child among them. And he said; ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.’”

Jesus has a message for us in the nature of children. Having a life long service to children through camping programs and having had six of my own, God has certainly been trying to get my attention through children for a long time. One of the many attributes of children is their natural desire to play. My friends at ILF fully understand this attribute and do everything they can to help children learn and develop through play. Children learn through intentional structured play and they also learn through free play – without adult intervention. There is something about play that reflects a very natural state of being for a child; a state of humility, learning, being teachable, receiving gifts without question, having fun, laughing, carefree, happily dependent on the protection of others. Jesus says we need to become like little children.

So here is a question to ponder: “Should we ever grow out of these child-like attributes?” Of course we should grow out of being childish – that selfish sinful nature that is meant to be crucified. But what of the child-like attributes? I see no instruction from God to walk away from these characteristics, rather, I see the opposite. Someone said that a toddler is a person who is constantly trying to lose their life and the adults around them have one primary purpose – to keep them alive. Taking risks is the MO of a toddler. As parents we are rightfully trying to teach them to not stick their finger in the electric socket, put their hand in the fire, run out into the parking lot or push over their sister. But, at the same time, through play, we are wanting them to interact with their environment and learn, learn, learn. Learn, not by sitting in a classroom or studying an encyclopedia but by experiencing the world around them as full and richly as possible.

So, who said we should stop learning and experiencing life through play? “Oh – you are an adult, you are done playing and now you must work.” Who said that? Is it not possible to work and play – even making work playful? “Of course not. We must be serious about our work, we must be miserable in our work, we must find pain in our work. I would certainly be ashamed to find play in my work.” Even the definition for play says this, “Engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.”

But another definition says this, “Play is the work of children. It consists of those activities performed for self-amusement that have behavioral, social and psychomotor rewards. It is child directed and the rewards come from within the individual child; it is enjoyable and spontaneous.” It is very natural for a child to play. Even an untrained parent somehow understands that their child needs to play.

Ok, so here comes the big spiritual leap of faith. If we are to be child-like in our coming into the Kingdom, and if a primary attribute of a child is playing, is there a relationship to this attribute and an understanding of the Sabbath rest God has called us to. In the old covenant, the Sabbath was a day of rest and it was very important to follow this commandment. But it pointed to a greater Sabbath that was fulfilled in Christ. In reading Hebrews chapter four we learn about this rest. In verse 9 we read, “ There remains, then, A Sabbath-rest for the people of God . . .” This Sabbath rest is a place of total and utter dependence on Christ. He has done all the work necessary for our salvation and the day-to-day grace to live out this salvation. There is nothing we can do to be saved, it is a gift from God. Our job is to surrender, to believe, to trust in the finished work of Christ. Does this not sound like the lifestyle of a little child! Hebrews 4:11 says we should make every effort to enter into that rest. Think of that for a minute. Our part of the effort is to enter into the Sabbath rest, even striving to enter into that rest.

I do not believe the rest God has called us to is a state of laziness, but a state of mind. It is an ever deepening understanding that if we lose our lives, we will find our lives in Christ. It is an understanding that all of our work is a joyful exercise in serving the master – even our work can become play when we realize who we are working for. This is what is meant by entering into the Sabbath rest that Christ has provided. The Old Covenant commandment of keeping the Sabbath becomes the New Covenant Promise of entering into the rest God has for us, every day and in all things.

My last full day in South Korea I visited the parents of an ILF staff, Jason. They own a Christian gift shop and as soon as I walked into their shop my eyes were drawn to the bracelet on display. In Jesus name I play. I am sure it was suppose to read, In Jesus name I pray, but it was a clear message to me regarding entering into the Sabbath rest of Christ and it was another confirmation that ILF is on track with their message of play. I needed to receive all the fun I was provided in South Korea – from traveling around Je Ju Island, to great meals every day with special friends and even learning how to play Three Cushion Billiards with Kuk. In Jesus name, I played. And even in my work – In Jesus name I play (Sabbath Rest).