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Sabbath Rest Good for Body and Soul
Many individuals and families are all too aware that they rarely have the luxury of time for real relaxation. 24/7 is firmly rooted in our society. The concept of relaxation is firmly rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It's called Sabbath.
In a world accumulating points by billable hours, full patient schedules, number of hours worked, promotions received, square feet of houses owned, number of cars in garages, number of shares of stocks owned, keeping the Sabbath -- resting -- helps us stay healthy and whole.
Observing a Sabbath rest makes us stop and in so doing contributes to our health and well-being. The commandment to rest reminds us that God created everything in six days and rested on the seventh day. If this is good enough for God, the injunction implies, surely it should be good enough for mere mortals. It also serves as a reminder to live humbly. We are not God. We are not called to "do it all."
Rest is not just good for the soul. It is also good for the body. The Judeo-Christian tradition asserts that the body is something of value. Genuine spirituality is concerned with the care of the body. Rest is one way that we can accomplish this.
Medical science has demonstrated that the effects of rest are significant, indicating the great role that rest can play in our physical and emotional well-being. Lack of rest and relaxation is associated with inattentiveness, inability to concentrate, impulsivity, moodiness, learning difficulties and health problems.
Rest, quiet time, and meditation have been shown to enhance responses in the brainstem, that part of the brain that controls such significant aspects of bodily functioning such as respiration, heart rate and blood pressure. Quiet and meditation decrease cortisol levels (substances that are increased in times of stress) and respiratory rates, increase serum protein levels, and decrease blood pressure.
One of the great rabbis asserted this about regular periods of rest, "The Holy One gives an additional soul on Sabbath eve, and at the Sabbath's departure it is taken from him." May we all strive for time to rest, relax, and attain that additional soul.
By
Albert Scariato
|
March 5, 2009; 2:45 PM ET
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Posted by: ashleybone | March 7, 2009 8:54 PM
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I am glad to see more articles on the importance of rest, quiet time, and meditation for Christians. Taking a Sabbath to relax our bodies and minds promotes renewal and rejuvenation. Through Biblical meditation, we teach our minds to embrace peace and stillness as well as enhance our sensitivity to God's spirit. For additional articles and resources on meditation for Christians visit http://www.thechristianmeditator.com.
Posted by: christianmeditation | March 7, 2009 1:36 AM
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Rest is indeed important!! Just don't tell me when to take it based on some mythical creation story or some mythical resurrection of a simple preacher man!!!
Posted by: CCNL | March 6, 2009 1:42 PM
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The comments to this entry are closed.
I seriously hope you're not claiming Christians invented the day off. I mean, I know religious folks like to believe that they are the original source of morality, light, casseroles, and the flying arch, but come on. You can't appropriate every single good idea ever for yourself. The Sumerians were giving relaxing massages two thousands years before the ancient Hebrews learned to herd their first goat.
Besides, for Catholic kids like myself, Saturdays were infinitely better than Sundays. It was the '70s, so you still had good Saturday-morning cartoons, no school, and no boring church nonsense. Who needs a Sabbath when you have college football!