COVID upended my life…and the chaos has not ended. COVID meant loss of ministry opportunities and relational connection. Then came the loss of my mom to cancer. Then there was unexpected transition at my church. Then my kids married and moved out and in and out of my house. Then there was job loss. Then health issues. It goes on and on. Things still feel unsettled. I’ve talked to many people who are experiencing similar things. Life still feels chaotic to many of us.
In response to all this, I feel I have spent much of my time with my mind ahead of the present moment. I have been in the future trying to figure out what is coming next so I could make good decisions and somehow get out of the chaos and find my way to rest.
But then, God had a different idea.
He persistently invited me to Sabbath.
Sabbath means “to pause for now.” Specifically, I felt God was inviting me to take 24 hours off. I did not even know what Sabbath would look like for me, but I found a book a friend had given me a while ago, dusted it off and found a few ideas.
This is how I would practice Sabbath: I would begin my Sabbath praying to God and trusting Him with household work, ministry work, job work—and this turned out to be the hardest for me—especially regarding my to-do list. I decided I was not allowed to add to or amend my to-do list while I was on Sabbath.
And so, my husband and I started observing Sabbath. It was significant to take a break from work and rest. Over the weeks, I started going for long walks with God and journaling. As ideas for my to-do list came to mind, I would try to let them go. Sometimes I had to let them go several times in one day. At times it helped me to imagine the thoughts I want to let go of, like laundry on a line and let it go in the breeze.
After a month, I noticed I was having some significant revelations. My word of the year is “trust.” In order to pause I had to let go of trying to control things by working and trust God. I found the Doxology that I grew up singing in church grew very significant to me in this time. I sang it most mornings for a couple of weeks: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…” I started separating God’s blessings from my work. I started realizing them for what they are—unmerited gifts. Not working for one day a week helped me to separate my work from receiving from God. I work as a steward and servant of God. I receive from God because I am a blessed child. This causes my heart to rejoice and worship, singing, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…”
Another thing that happened is I developed a pause button.
For years I have tried to finish my to-do list so I could rest. But, as you know friends, the to-do list is never done. Sabbath has taught me how to pause and rest even when there are things left to be done because, as the next line of the Doxology makes clear, I am finite: “Praise Him all creatures here below…” I am human. I am limited. I am a creature. A creature who receives the blessings of God because of His benevolence, not because of my performance.
Lately I have been taking some of my Sabbath time to walk to a coffee shop and sit gazing out the window at the sky, sipping a decaf cappuccino out of a lovely mug and spending time with God in the place of not-knowing. What I mean by that is, instead of peppering God with questions and asking Him to solve my problems, I take time to be with Him right here and now, where there are still unanswered questions, and I receive His peace. I receive His gift of peace to live in the midst of human life that always has a bit of chaos. It is a sweet and precious gift that fills me with sustaining strength and restores my soul. I am filled with joy knowing God likes to spend time with me. It’s a cup of peace in the midst of the chaos.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27 ESV
Question: Have you ever taken a “Sabbath Day”—with no work or to-do-list allowed? Where were you and how did you format your time with God? What were the benefits?
Travel with Gene & Carol Kent on the “Footsteps of Paul” trip to Greece on September 8-16, 2025, with an optional Israel extension on September 16-20, 2025. For more information, email carol@carolkent.org.
About Jeri Howe
Jeri Howe is a speaker, author and pastor. Jeri’s biblically based messages have been providing life-changing insights to audiences for years. She has written Bible studies and self-published a medieval fantasy novel, Kamea, that communicates the truths of our identity in Christ. Jeri is presently being trained as a spiritual director. She earned her Master of Divinity degree and is serving as a teaching pastor at Lakeshore Vineyard Church in West Michigan. Jeri is married to Jason, and they have two adult kids who are both married. The whole family loves to celebrate anything and everything with lots of food and fun. Connect with Jeri at https://www.jerihowe.com/.
I needed this, Jeri. Thank you for practical ways to start the process of having a “Sabbath Day”. I don’t feel like I will be very good at it, but I want to try.
Thank you for your comment. I feel the same way! Those who have gone before me have encouraged me not to worry about having a “perfect” Sabbath – we probably never do, but not to give up. l am continually going to the Lord in prayer to see how He wants me to pause, what He wants me to pause, and how to navigate the obstacles that inevitably come up… and He has been so faithful to guide me and bless me!
Thank you – I have been learning about soul care and true rest. I appreciate you insights.