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Guest Post: Sabbath and COVID-19

Posted by Andrea Roussel

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Mar 22, 2020 4:40:52 PM

shutterstock_1432102907Sabbath and Coronavirus - those are probably two words you would not put together...

Recently, I have researched (and not on the obvious), the Sabbath. Everywhere I looked and everything I saw said, "to slow down," "you are exhausted," "you aren't enjoying your life." The word Sabbath started appearing everywhere. People on Instagram, Podcasts, reading, everywhere.  

So what is Sabbath? Sabbath by definition is a day set aside for rest and worship. Sabbath was given to us by God as a gift and a commandment. As believers, we are told to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. It's the day you are to unplug and appreciate all you have - through a hobby, a walk, anything that helps you relax and recharge.  

I can remember when stores were not open on Sundays (and in many places, some still aren't) - which meant six days you work and the seventh day you rested. Many people now believe that Sabbath can be celebrated on any day that works for your schedule, but take the time to rest and worship. I recently read a quote from Blaise Pascal that said, "All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone." It's true. In a world of FOMO, how could you possibly take a whole day and unplug, rest, and worship? 

So, what does this have to do with the pandemic that we are in? 

Is it a coincidence that we are forced to stop? Forced to self isolate. Forced to be still with our emotions and thoughts. Forced to find rest. 

Is it a coincidence that we entered this season as the same time as Lent? Maybe - maybe not. Do you remember what you gave up for Lent- some almost 30 days ago? Well, I bet you have given up a lot more. Lent was designed as a time to help us reflect and remember the sacrifice that Christ made for us, so that when we celebrate on Easter Sunday we appreciate the love and sacrifice. But from everything we read, we are going to sacrifice and suffer for much longer than 40 days. I was thinking today how different Easter will look this year. Church services from your TV or computer. No extended family lunches.  

I feel like God has the remote and just pushed the pause button. And that the pause button may be on for quite some time, until we can see that we are to love our neighbors as our self. Paused until we realize that rest and worship are what we need to heal this messed up world.  

Little by little I am seeing it. We are looking out for our neighbors. We are spending time as a family. We are eating meals together. We are going on walks and enjoying the signs of Spring.  

Staying home is no doubt what you should be doing right now. Every article you see is flatten the curve. But, what if you stayed home and prayed. Prayed for this to end. Prayed for our new normal to be shown. Prayed that we can stop this before it gets so far out of hand.  

Quite frankly we need a miracle and prayer can make it happen.   

So, please stay home, but please don't sit at home in fear or paranoia. Pray and have faith that we will get through this and get through this as a better world and better humans.

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